Rett's Roost

05/21/2026

🧡 Meet Andrew — He’s turning 14 today!!

Andrew was just 10 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 3 anaplastic ependymoma — an aggressive brain tumor — after being misdiagnosed five times for his symptoms of early morning nausea and vomiting.

What followed was a journey no child or family should ever have to face: a complex surgery that left him temporarily unable to walk or swallow, multiple rounds of radiation, 7 brain surgeries, a spinal surgery when his tumor became metastatic, and travel across the country for clinical trials involving immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and CAR-T therapy.

Through it all, his mom Kristin has been right by his side. Last fall, she was able to join us at our Caring for the Caregiver Retreat, finding a little breath and community during one of the scariest chapters of their journey.

And now? Although his tumor is not completely gone, Andrew’s latest MRI shows that it’s stable, and the new chemo he’s on for the last four months is working. 🎉 His walking is improving. His energy is back. And he’s doing what kids should be doing — playing video games, boating, swimming, and fishing.

We are so proud to have Andrew and Kristin in our Rett’s Roost family, and we cannot wait to see them at the Superhero Beach Fun Run on June 7th in Ogunquit!

Will you show up for Andrew? 💙 Walk with us in solidarity or make a donation in his honor—$14 for his bday perhaps?—every step and every dollar reminds families like his that they are never alone.

👟 Sign up to run or walk with Andrew, or donate at the link in our bio.

05/19/2026

Superhero Spotlight 🦸‍♂️✨ Meet Theodore’s Family!

Theodore McBride was born on August 29, 2019 with bilateral renal agenesis — a condition considered incompatible with life. But nobody told Theodore that. 💙

He came into this world fighting, and he fought every single day — a true superhero in every sense of the word. Though his brave battle ended on September 27, 2021, just weeks after his second birthday, his spirit is anything but gone.

We met Theodore’s family — mom Jessica, dad Elliot, and sister Vanessa — at our Ogunquit Open to Healing retreat in August 2023, and they’ve been part of our community ever since.

On June 7th, they’ll be back on Ogunquit beach — this time in their superhero capes — running in Theodore’s honor at the Rett’s Roost Superhero 5K Family Fun Beach Run! 🌊🦸‍♀️

💛 Are you a Rett’s Roost family? We want YOU on that course with the McBride family! Sign up by this Thursday, May 18th so we can have a personalized sign made for your family in time for race day.

Every cape tells a story. Come honor yours.

05/14/2026

When grief makes you feel like the only one… you find your people.🦉

Our One Mission Open to Healing Family Bereavement Retreat brings together eight families who truly get it — the love, the loss, and everything in between.

“Rett’s Roost brought so much healing that we didn’t even know we needed. We felt nothing but love, acceptance, community and belonging.” — Ashley, Sammy, Charlie, and Henry’s mom

“For the first time since Lucas died, we felt like we could envision life after this unimaginable loss, and found a community that will celebrate Lu alongside us.” — Jennifer, Lucas and Christopher’s mom

“Not only did we find a group that understood everything we had experienced — we found life-long friends.” — Ben, Henry & Lincoln’s dad

Thanks to our sponsor, , these retreats are absolutely free for participating families and we still have openings for new families this year.

If you or someone you know is navigating life after child loss, this is a chance to feel seen and continue on a path towards healing. 🤍

Link in bio to learn more and apply.

05/14/2026

Thanks for the shout-out, Ogunquit Barometer!

Help Rett's Roost help others!

"Every day at Rett’s Roost, we encounter a Superhero.

It might be a child facing cancer with courage beyond their years, a parent who has watched their child suffer and still kept hope, or a sibling who stood quietly and faithfully by their sick brother or sister. It might be a business that believes in our mission, a volunteer who showed up to help, or a friend who gives a monthly donation. Every single one of them deserves to be celebrated.

The Superhero Beach Fun Run exists for exactly that reason. On June 7th, we’ll gather at the edge of the ocean to honor the heroes who make this community what it is and to remember why we do this work in the first place. We’ll breathe in the salt air, feel the sun, and let the sea do what it does best — heal our souls.

Good health is a privilege, which we take very seriously at Rett’s Roost. We hope you’ll join us in a day of nature-based healing — one of the tenets of our retreats — and in honoring the extraordinary families who remind us every day what strength really looks like.

Our goal is to raise $22,222 at this event with the help of our super runners and walkers! When you sign up, a fundraising page will be set up automatically for you or your family. It’s optional to fundraiser for us but our top fundraisers have the chance of winning a two-night stay at a 3 bedroom home in Ogunquit, a gift card and sunglasses from Flips Shoe Shop or a gift card to The Omelette Factory.

Sign up today! 🦸‍♀️🦹"

05/14/2026

Thank you to our brand new sponsor for the 2026 Ogunquit Home & Garden Tour, The Jeff Smith Group of Fort Lauderdale. Interested in sponsoring our work? You don't need to be from Maine to do so. Thank you, Jeff, for your support!

05/13/2026

I know it's hard to commit to something that costs money (and even harder when there's an expectation to fundraise), but I'm going to say it, sign ups for this event have been dismal! Please, if you are intending to come (and we so want to see you there), sign yourself or your family up. No need to run fast, you can walk and just enjoy the ocean air with a group of people that believe in the power of hope and healing.

If you raise just $222, your registration fee will be waived and you'll receive a free adorable can coozie.

If you raise more, you may qualify for our top fundraiser prizes!
That includes a 2 night stay at this adorable "Tall House" in downtown Ogunquit on the weekend of the Ogunquit Home & Garden Tour (as well as free tix to the tour).

2nd and 3rd prizes include gift cards to Flips Shoe Shop and The Omelette Factory along with other merchandise items and free tickets to our Home Tour in September!

Although we will offer day-of registration, it would make our planning and fundraising much more successful to know that you are coming. Thank you for your commitment to our mission! We truly love our community of support that has carried us over the past decade.

05/11/2026

Hoping all the super moms out there had a meaningful Mother’s Day honoring all their superpowers!

At Rett’s roost we recognize the relentless forces of nature that moms of sick kids become. We also recognize the grandmothers who step up to support their adult kids when cancer or illness strikes their grandchild. And most certainly, we recognize the moms whose child was take too soon from their arms.

If you know and love a mother whose child has faced a life threatening illness, you understand the super strength required. These warrior moms deserve to be recognized on Mother’s Day and every day for their fierce love and unyielding dedication to protecting their living children and remembering their children in the great beyond.

Sign up for our Superhero Beach Run on June 7th to show all moms how much you care about the health and wellbeing of families impacted by childhood cancer and child loss.

05/07/2026

Every day at Rett’s Roost, we encounter a Superhero.

It might be a child facing cancer with courage beyond their years, a parent who has watched their child suffer and still kept hope, or a sibling who stood quietly and faithfully by their sick brother or sister. It might be a business that believes in our mission, a volunteer who showed up to help, or a friend who gives a monthly donation. Every single one of them deserves to be celebrated.

The Superhero Beach Fun Run exists for exactly that reason. On June 7th, we’ll gather at the edge of the ocean to honor the heroes who make this community what it is and to remember why we do this work in the first place. We’ll breathe in the salt air, feel the sun, and let the sea do what it does best — heal our souls.

Good health is a privilege, which we take very seriously at Rett’s Roost. We hope you’ll join us in a day of nature-based healing — one of the tenets of our retreats — and in honoring the extraordinary families who remind us every day what strength really looks like.

Our goal is to raise $22,222 at this event with the help of our super runners and walkers! When you sign up, a fundraising page will be set up automatically for you or your family. It’s optional to fundraiser for us but our top fundraisers have the chance of winning a two-night stay at a 3 bedroom home in Ogunquit, a gift card and sunglasses from Flips Shoe Shop , or a gift card to The Omelette Factory .

Sign up today! 🦸‍♀️🦹

04/30/2026

Our Forever Healing Retreat last weekend was everything. 🦉🌿💙

None of it would have been possible without the incredible generosity of so many people who believe in the healing power of community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up for our grieving parents.

🍽️ Thank you to our food donors, who nourished our families with the most incredible meals: (charcuterie board) • Farm (bison chili!) • (Saturday taco lunch) • (breakfast bacon) • .cafe (chicken tortilla soup) • and a very special thank you to Caring Community Cuisine , who delivered and served a stunning fine dining three-course dinner that made our parents feel truly celebrated.

🌿 Thank you to our healing practitioners, who held space for our families with such skill and compassion: Lori Mangano and Beecher Grogan, our Healing Support Guides • Massage therapists Adam Schoff, Brenna D’Amours, and Caitlin McCann • Yoga with Caitlin McCann • Emotional Freedom Technique with Leonard-Fritzmeier • Watercolor with Leah Bares • Sound Therapy with • Shamanic Ceremony with Katrina Leathers • Sauna & Cold Plunge with • and a beautiful living memorial tree planting made possible by .

🏡 Thank you to for being the most magical backdrop for a weekend of healing and hope.

🙌 Thank you to our incredible volunteers — Jim, Becca, Janine, Jess, Ella, Kelly, Francis, Anne, Janna, and Rebecca — whose behind-the-scenes dedication made everything run beautifully.

And finally, a heartfelt congratulations and thank you to our amazing Program Director, Leigh Cameron, who planned and executed her first retreat with extraordinary care — adding her own personal touches including a Mindful Eating workshop and a living memorial tree planting that moved us all. Leigh, you are already such a gift to this community. 🌳

To the families who trusted us with your weekend — thank you for letting us walk alongside you. This is why we do what we do. 💛

04/27/2026

Happy 12th birthday to the boy behind it all. He’s affected our life and the lives of so many families by sending us hope and healing and manifesting a community of love and support. We know he’s pulling the strings up above the clouds and our gratitude is immense and unwavering. 💙

04/27/2026

Forever Healing 2026—the first retreat of the year took place this past weekend at and we got to bring ten new parents (and two alums) into our caring community of grief and support.

It was a wonderful weekend. We certainly lucked out with the excellent weather, but also with the beautiful people that joined us and made the weekend truly special. Today we are so thankful for the bereaved parents that had the courage to show up, for our therapeutic support team that shared their healing guidance, and for all the volunteers and food donations that provided much needed nourishment to the group.

For the first time, we planted a living memorial to our children, a Cockspur Hawthorn, donated by , which will grow white blossoms and edible berries. This tree species holds a deeply symbolic meaning, acting as a “guardian of thresholds” that supports the heart during loss. It is recognized by herbalists and in folklore as a plant that helps people process heartbreak and profound sorrow.

We followed the tree planting with our closing Aya despacho ceremony, led by a local shaman named Katrina Leathers. We created a prayer bundle that is burned to carry the messages we want to send to our deceased children over the rainbow bridge.

After all our grief retreats, there’s a feeling that the veil between the physical and ethereal worlds is thinner. We feel certain that this weekend, the parents felt a little closer to their children’s spirits and a little further from their deepest sorrows and regrets. ❤️