2018 WWW.BLUEBIRDMI.ORG

ANNUAL REPORT

Bluebird Cancer Retreats

HELPING YOU FIND YOUR STRENGTH  BLUEBIRDMI.ORG

OUR MISSION

To enhance the lives of thoseexperiencing cancer.

Our Core Values

2018 MOMCOLOGY RETREAT

SERVING MOMS THAT HAVE a child with cancer

Serve with integrity & respect Provide opportunity for hope & peace

Be compassionate & supportive Create a trusting environment

Use our gifts wisely

1996

Lift chairs are often needed for patientsrecovering from surgery.  These chairs are

not usually covered by insurance. Bluebird lends & delivers chairs

to those in need.

1996

Bluebird began with

1 retreat for adults

with cancer

Created couplesretreat offeringsupport for asurvivor & a  caregiver

Began our

monthly supportgroup

Bluebird delivers a beautifulbasket of pampering gifts &

resources to newly diagnosedpeople in our community.  2010

1996

2006

COMING IN 2019

TODAY Bluebird offers:

2 Individual Retreats 2 Couples Retreats

Reunion Retreat Community Cares Outreach

Momcology Retreat Monthly Support Group

Lift of Love

2016

Bluebird hosted its first

momcology retreat,  serving moms

 that have a  child with cancer.

2013 

Bucs Pride & Grand Havenarea Public Schools became

a community partner.

With their significant help &support, we developed:

Community Cares &

Lift of Love

HOW WE GIVE

FAMILY CAMP

GIVING BLUEBIRDMI.ORG

VOLUNTEERS

HOURS INACTION

WHAT IT MEANS

IN 2018, BLUEBIRD UTILIZED NEARLY 300 VOLUNTEERSTO MAKE OUR PROGRAMS POSSIBLEThank you to our many volunteers.  You are vital to our mission. This year, Bluebird put 3,223 volunteer hours to work serving thosewith cancer.  Our volunteers included doctors, nurses, social workers,therapists, holistic healers, students, cancer survivors & many more.   

THE VALUE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS Our volunteers allow us to multiply every dollar donated to Bluebird & helpmake  ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS 100% FREE!  

SERVING BLUEBIRDMI.ORG

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

HELP US GROWDear Bluebird Friends, On behalf of our board of directors, and those we serve, I would like to thank you for helping to make Bluebird what it istoday.   Your generous and loyal support has affected the lives of thousands of survivors, and I truly believe it is work likeours that makes West Michigan the most supportive and wonderful place to live! Over the past 22 years, we have made it our primary goal to help survivors  'find their strength again'. We LISTEN to theirfeedback to better understand what programs are most needed in recovery.  We continue to LEARN about new techniques and methods of developing the physical and emotional strength needed after or during a cancerdiagnosis.  Then, with the help of our generous donors, we LEAD hundreds of volunteers in selflessly serving ourcommunity!   In 2019, we have our biggest dream yet on the horizon.  Every day, we are reminded of the challenges that familiesundergo when a loved one is faced with illness.  Cancer reaches far beyond the individual diagnosed, and leaves many ofus feeling alone and helpless.   This coming year, it is our plan to host our first ever family camp. A safe, fun andsupportive place where parents and children aged 5-17 can spend a weekend with others going through a similarexperience.    Now more than ever, we need your help to make this dream a reality in our community.  Please consider includingBluebird in your year-end giving and know that we will put every dollar to use locally to support those in need.   With love and thanks,  Renee Denslow, Executive Director GROWING BLUEBIRDMI.ORG

OUR THANKSBest said by those we serve:

"My Bluebird Retreat marks the time I decided to be more thanjust a survivor, I want to thrive.  So now my journey begins."                                       ~participant - newcomers retreat 2018 "Bluebird helped me find my strength again"                                       ~participant - couples retreat 2018 "Now I know I am not alone in this"                                        ~support group participant "I learned more about myself in those two days than I have  in a very long time"                                      ~participant - momcology 2018

PARTNERING BLUEBIRDMI.ORG

Board of Directors :Renee Denslow Executive Director Patty Keller Chairman of the Board Loril Garrett Vice Chairperson Marcia Wiersma Treasurer Shelley Brocci Secretary Susan Dudick Dr. Terri Bott - Kothari Stefanie Hall- VanHouwelingen Mike Pokrywka Dave Stocking Marilyn Sytsma

Legacy donors:Anlaan Corporation Bucktale Farm Lacks Corporation Mercy Health System  The Clover Family Mart Dock of West Michigan Community partners :Cancer and Hematology Centers of West Michigan Johnson Family Cancer Center Lacks Cancer Center Metro Health - University of Michigan Health  Spectrum Health Bluebird Cancer Retreats of West Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.  For donation information,please visit www.bluebirdmi.org or call 616-847-0849

Premier partner:Bucs Pride - Grand Haven Area Public Schools

Advisory Board:  Rick Arnold Ben Keller Gloria LeMaire Rev. Peter Theune

Report issued December 2018 616-847-0839 www.bluebirdmi.org

Bluebird Cancer Retreats of West Mi, Inc. 917 W. Savidge St. Spring Lake, MI 49456

address