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Here for Hope for Families with Childhood Cancer
For nearly 50 years, Candlelighters has provided comfort, community and support for families in Oregon and SW Washington battling childhood cancer.
We make sure no family faces childhood cancer alone.
Who We Serve
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everyone in the family and the child’s community is impacted. This is why we offer programs and services for the whole family throughout the lifelong journey of childhood cancer.
Candlelighters’ Story
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer was founded in 1977 by five families who had one thing in common: a child impacted by cancer. Today, nearly 50 years later, Candlelighters has served over 100,000 family members through the crisis of childhood cancer.
Our Impactmore numbers
100000+
family members served since 1977
40+
family events held each year
$100000+
in emergency financial assistance
2500+
families served each year
Family Eventsmore family events
Upcoming Events
Fundraising Eventsmore fundraising events
Upcoming Events
Donate to Candlelighters
Candlelighters stands by local families facing childhood cancer by offering a range of programs for the entire family and a strong community across Oregon and SW Washington for families in crisis. All of our programs are free of charge and we welcome families at every stage of the childhood cancer journey. As we like to say, once a Candlelighter always a Candlelighter. Individual, foundation and corporate giving sustain our vital programs. Your support brings comfort when it is needed most. Every donation makes a real difference.
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There`s less than a week left to RSVP for Candlelighters` Family Day Carnival!🎗️
Families attending Family Day will receive a special Family Day 2026 T-Shirt! 🎉
Be sure to RSVP on the Family Activities page on our website by April 20th to be added to our T-shirt order and join in on the fun 💛
📍Gresham Main City Park
📅 Sunday, May 17, 11am - 2pm
Please note–RSVPs are open for immediate family members who will be attending Family Day.
#candlelighters #familyday2026 #childhoodcancerawareness
We were joined by a very special guest at Randall Children`s Hospital this week! 🥳
Sam Hiatt of @thornsfc made an appearance at our lunch-and-learn for families in the hospital! She held a meet-and-greet and helped serve food to families
A big thank you to @sam.hiatt and Thorns FC for their continued involvement with the Candlelighters community, we are so lucky to have such amazing supporters! 💛
#candlelighters #thornsfc #pdxnonprofit #randallchildrenshospital #childhoodcancerawareness
Last weekend was Candlelighters` first ever Mom`s Retreat!🧖♀️
Our moms got to spend the day together at Balanced Active Recovery in Hood River, enjoying some well deserved time to relax, recharge and bond.🧘♀️
A big thank you to Lisa Pacheco @getbalancedhr for having us in their space, Leah Marshall @lm_petite_retreats for leading activities, and Catalina Solberg for preparing our healthy, delicious lunch!
Another thank you to the @kruse_way_rotary_club Rotary Quilters Group for providing comfy quilts for each of our moms to bring home 💛
#candlelighters #spaday #pdxnonprofit #childhoodcancerawareness
Today is national siblings day 💛
A childhood cancer diagnosis affects every member of the family, making whole family support essential.
Siblings of a diagnosed child may experience many emotions—fear, confusion, and uncertainty among them.
Candlelighters exists to support the entire family, creating safe spaces where siblings can feel seen, supported, and included throughout the journey.
Today, we celebrate the resilience and love of siblings🎗️
#childhoodcancerawareness #siblingsday #candlelighters #pdxnonprofit
