The story of Bluebird Cancer Retreats began many decades ago at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. The hospital’s oncology department was caring for a group of cancer patients, who ultimately found great comfort in sharing their cancer journeys together. When their treatments concluded, these patients wanted to preserve the sense of strength and encouragement they’d found in each other during the lowest point of their lives.

 

In 1985, Camp Bluebird was established in Alabama to bring that same hope to more adults battling cancer.  It spread to several cancer centers across the country creating a network of hope and healing. Spring Lake resident Bill Timm attended a Bluebird retreat in North Carolina while fighting his own cancer battle. His experience was life-altering, and he dreamed of bringing the same spirit of community. Support, and inspiration back to his West Michigan home.

 

Although Bill Timm passed away in 1994, his vision lives on through his wife, Robin, and their pastor, Rev. Peter Theune (who passed in 2021). With the help of a local church, North Ottawa Community Hospital, Hospice of North Ottawa Community, and the American Cancer Society – the first retreat for Camp Bluebird was held on the shores of Lake Michigan in 1996.

 

Today, Bluebird Cancer Retreats invites participants to “return home in spirit” and embrace each day fully.  Bluebird Cancer Retreats welcomes cancer battlers and survivors to find renewed hope and strength among others who understand the journey. Alongside retreats, Bluebird offers additional resources and community impact as a lending arm of support. Through each retreat, Bluebird continues to encourage those to take wing and give the same gift of light each day.

 

We are a 100 percent grassroots non-profit organization funded by several events each year such as our annual Flock Party on the waterfront in Grand Haven (our largest fundraiser), Lakeshore Bras for a Cause, a golf outing, Bucs Pride, and several generous private and corporate donors. These funds allow us to hold 4 adult retreats each year for 98 adults and 1 Family Camp for 12 families.

 

In addition, we host a monthly support group, a ‘Lift of Love’ program (lift chairs delivered to homes for people in need after surgeries), and work with Bucs Pride to provide Community Cares bags for those newly diagnosed with cancer (including a blanket, water bottle, adult coloring books, $40 in chamber dollars to spend in the tri-cities, hand sanitizer, and much more). We also have a Holiday Happiness Project where we deliver holiday bags to families of people experiencing cancer at Christmas (bags include $200 gift cards, a complete spaghetti meal, a blanket, a family game, and cookie mix) hand delivered by our volunteers. 

Anyone who would like to get involved with Bluebird as a volunteer can fill out a volunteer form on our website, bluebirdmi.org. If they have a special talent they would like to share with Bluebird participants (making winter hats, knitting prayer shawls, baking cookies, etc.) they can email me at support@bluebirdmi.org or call me at 616-847-0839 option 1 (Tia). If you would like to donate money, our website has a donation page.