Dear Friends of the Nest,
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From all of us at Tu Nidito, we hope your holiday season was rejuvenating and restful, and we are wishing you a happy new year full of promise and strength.
2026 marks Tu Nidito’s 30th anniversary. While we have humble beginnings—a small group of parents, doctors, and community members came together to create the concept for Tu Nidito—we are proud to have risen to meet Southern Arizona’s need for a full continuum of child-centered grief support.
Without Tu Nidito, children and their families grieving a serious medical condition or death would have nowhere else to go for support designed solely to meet their needs regarding grief. Every year, families gather as a community at Tu Nidito and have profound experiences. They trust us with their greatest vulnerabilities, and we do not take this responsibility lightly. While the work we do can be heavy to hold, there’s a lot of joy here, too. Just as much laughter as tears have been shared within our walls. It is a weekly occurrence that a newly enrolled family brings their child who expresses they wish they could stay longer!
2025 was a successful year as we continue to serve more families across Southern Arizona. We saw astounding growth in new families especially, and we are positioned to honor our 30th anniversary by continuing to provide the heartfelt, compassionate programming worthy of our community. We have more planned to celebrate and honor the thirty years of work we have done in the community—all thanks to YOU, so stay tuned for more.
With gratitude,
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Liz McCusker,
Executive Director
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2025 was an astonishing year at Tu Nidito, as our programs continue to flourish and support children, teens, young adults, caregivers, and their families grieving a serious medical condition or death. In 2025, we served
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455 children, 42 young adults, 338 adults, and 294 families through bereavement support groups
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32 community youth through bereavement support groups hosted outside Tu Nidito
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98 children with a serious medical condition and 48 families through one-on-one support
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58 children, 51 adults, and 37 families with support groups for a child whose caregiver has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition.
We could not do the work we do without the help of our 150 direct care volunteers, volunteer board leadership and community support. That means YOU! Every dollar sent and every second spent with someone grieving contributes to the transformative experience families are able to find at Tu Nidito. What an awe-inspiring community we have built TOGETHER.
Tu Nidito does not receive federal funding; we are community-founded, community-led, and sustained through the effort of that community. We are incredibly grateful for each and everyone one of you—together we are ensuring, NO CHILD GRIEVES ALONE.
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Over the past 24 years, we have celebrated 126 women who represent the wide diversity of Southern Arizona and come from all walks of life. Each honoree speaks to our mission to create a compassionate community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a death or serious medical condition. We are proud to introduce your 2026 Remarkable Moms!
Join us in honoring and celebrating these amazing women who are advocates, mentors, and role models on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Tu Nidito’s Remarkable Celebration! Tickets will be available soon.
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Angelica Sharpe channels her daughter’s wish to support children impacted by cancer. Through Lainy’s Light, she has become a beacon of hope for families facing similar challenges.
Dr. Liz Almi is a mother, grandmother, physician, survivor, and community leader who always puts others first. As the founder of Tucson Cancer Conquerors, she has built a lasting, healing community for countless individuals.
Dr. Melissa Zukowski has supported Southern Arizona’s children for more than 20 years. From her start as a Tu Nidito volunteer to her years on staff, and now head of Pediatrics at Banner, she has guided numerous families through illness, grief, and loss.
Lindsay Knott demonstrates exceptional leadership across Southern Arizona. Through her involvement with the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, CREW Tucson, the Tucson Metro Chamber, and Greater Tucson Leadership, she strengthens and uplifts the community. Her two daughters see her as an inspiring mother and a true role model.
Lynda Weigel-Firor honors her son’s memory through compassionate, empowering work. As a grant-writing consultant, she has helped nonprofits—including Intermountain Centers, The Haven, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, and Interfaith Community Services—expand their reach. Her continued engagement with Greater Tucson Leadership and the Autism Society of Southern Arizona creates ripples of kindness and advocacy.
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If you have not made a donation for your 2025 Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, there’s still time! All donations made to Tu Nidito until April 14, 2026 can be claimed on your 2025 taxes. If you have made a donation for 2025, the max allowable for 2026 has increased to $506 for individual filers and $1,009 for those filing jointly.
Remember, this is not a deduction! Your donation makes a real difference in the lives of grieving families, and your support is a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for your donation—meaning this valuable investment in community support comes at no cost! Learn more on how you can claim your credit on our website.
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