Bumblebee Foundation Inc

The BumbleBee Foundation offers emotional and financial support to those families who are dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis within the State of California. We hope that through this support our families find moments of joy amidst the turmoil, an opportunity to have financial burdens lifted, and the knowledge that there is a network of emotional supporters to laugh, cry, pray, and rejoice with them.

We work closely with pediatric oncology social workers/medical personnel throughout the State of California and the State of Idaho. Receiving a referral from the Social Worker/pediatric oncology nurse/doctors allows us to contact the parent, and it is through these direct conversations with the parent(s) that we learn the social, emotional, and financial needs of the pediatric kiddo and his/her family. We remain open in our dialogue with our Board how our funds are being spent, and use social media, podcasts, and additional speaking engagements to share with others the mission of the BumbleBee Foundation. Our goal is to serve as many families as is possible using the funds that are generated from fundraising events and grants written, as well as the generous donations from our supporters.

With over eleven years experience and a wealth of community support behind us, the BumbleBee Foundation is consistently refining our approach so that we efficiently meet the needs of our families. This includes continuing to develop new ways of raising funds to support our programs.

In 2020 we established our volunteer Advisory Council who are the "hands and feet" behind organizing and implementing our programs and fundraisers - both in person and virtual. The safety and well-being of our families, volunteers, and participants is always paramount, and we pivot when necessary.

Our co-founders, Jason and Heather, know first-hand what it is like to care for a son with cancer, and the financial and emotional stress it takes each member of the family. Coming from this place of empathy, understanding and grace, has allowed them to lead this foundation with the same compassion that surrounded them during their son's 18-month cancer journey.

Since our inception in 2011, we have grown from an operating budget of $5000 to a budget of almost $500,000 to assist our pediatric cancer families. Our 5 families over a decade ago has turned into over 500 (and growing) active families throughout the state of California, representing over 20 pediatric oncology hospitals. Our home office of seven years was outgrown and in 2018 we moved into a beautiful office - our headquarters in Westlake Village - hired our first full-time employee in 2019, and continue to grow our volunteer force - Executive Board members, Advisory Council members, and other volunteers. The third quarter of 2021 brought even more excitement as we spread our wings and expanded operations to southwestern Idaho. We continue to work tirelessly to provide hope and support to the countless pediatric cancer families, and walk with them as they navigate this difficult journey. Both the Executive Director (and family) and Vice President of Operations (and family) now live in the Boise area. Working remotely and frequent travel to California allow us to maintain all six of our programs and tend to the needs of our California families while expanding services to pediatric cancer families in Idaho.