ThePureBag
This women-owned business led by Lori Gildea was launched in 2018 after she experienced her own devastating health scare. Lori became severely ill after being exposed to a bug during a workout. She felt compelled to take a cleaner and safer approach to fitness, and founded ThePureBag® with her daughter Jessica to help others. And in the spirit of health and wellness, the duo is working to create healthy products for individuals AND healthy sustainable products for the planet.
Our antimicrobial vegan bags + accessories that minimize germs in your world. Healthcare-grade materials inhibit germs including bacteria, fungus, mold & mildew – inside and out! Stop transferring germs from your bags to your hands to your face. ThePureBag® bags and accessories provide hypo-microbial (antimicrobial) protection from bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew and other gross stuff. This stylish, sporty and functional line up features bold color combinations with vibrant accents – stow your personal items for safe-keeping. Germ Protection is IN the Bag!
I learned first-hand the danger of germs in the public domain. Other than a cold, I had never been sick in my life until the Fall of 2016.
With a successful career in pharma, I was working as the CCO for a biotech start-up. The job demanded long crazy hours and I had not been at gym in months. With an upcoming week working from home, I decided to hit the gym.
After the workout I was sore, but within the week my body swelled up. My symptoms accelerated quickly and each day it got worse until soon I was unable to feed myself, shower or get dressed. I could not work on my computer and could barely use my phone. I was in pain. My friends helped me get to a host of specialty physicians and I was constantly subjected to testing from blood work to MRI’s. However, no one was able to diagnose the cause. My muscle enzymes were critically high and I was at risk of kidney failure. Yet without a diagnosis, I was left untreated — falling deeper into despair.
I was leading the commercial business efforts at my company and the void created by my absence came to a critical juncture. I was unable to work and understood that they needed to move forward. Although this left me without insurance and jobless, my priority was getting healthy again. Finally, I found a neuro-muscular physician who immediately ordered an immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion. The week-long IV therapy worked –and kicked out the infection. Over three months after that gym work out – I was finally able to move without pain and started PT to regain muscle strength.
My physicians traced my activities during that week when I suddenly became ill and have reason to believe my gym bag was the culprit. I diligently washed my hands prior to leaving the gym, tossed my clothes in the washer and jumped in the shower as soon as I got home. However, I brought my gym bag (that had been sitting on the floor at the gym, on a bench in the locker room and on the floor at a coffee shop) into my bedroom and later that day pulled out my towel, water bottle and other items. What I didn’t realize at the time is that germs can hitch a ride in or on your bag and into your car, home or office creating a “petri dish of contamination”.
When I was ready to go back to the gym/yoga studio again, I searched for an antimicrobial bag that would protect me from germs. When I couldn’t find one that met my needs, I created my own using a healthcare-grade silver ion material. People loved the color and design of my bag and asked where I got it. When I shared the story, the overwhelming response I received: sell these bags to help others! And with that, ThePureBag was born!
I came to realize how important it is to protect yourself from germ exposure before, during and after exercise as well as for day-to-day activities and travel. I want to help others learn from my story and stay healthy while working out and going about their daily lives.