Candlelighters For Children With Cancer

A Community of Hope

for Families with Childhood Cancer

Each year, hundreds of families in Oregon and Washington receive a childhood cancer diagnosis. Families fighting childhood cancer can feel isolated and afraid.

But there is hope for kids and families with childhood cancer.

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer is there, every step of the way, to support the whole family. We offer families diagnosed with childhood cancer in Oregon and SW Washington practical assistance, and ways to connect. Above all, families create lifelong bonds with others experiencing pediatric cancer.

Whether you are a family looking for help or community, or a donor looking to give time or funding, we welcome you to our community of hope!

Who We Serve

We understand that when a child is diagnosed with cancer, it affects each family member differently.

That’s why we develop programs and services for the whole family throughout the lifelong journey of childhood cancer, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Since 1977, Candlelighters has supported nearly 100,000 family members across Oregon and SW Washington. If your family is facing pediatric cancer, you don’t have to walk alone. Join us.

How We Serve

December Parent & Caregiver Support Group

December Parent & Caregiver Support Group

The Parent & Caregiver Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month over Zoom. This is a chance to meet other parents and caregivers of children with cancer so that you can share your thoughts, stories, and concerns relating to childhood cancer. The group...

Calling Candy Cane Lane Sponsors

Calling Candy Cane Lane Sponsors

Calling Candy Cane Lane Sponsors: your favorite time of year is here! Get out your Santa hat, and get ready to bring some gifts and joy to a Candlelighters family! During the Holidays, many families with childhood cancer face difficult financial decisions and stress....

Nathan’s Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond

Nathan’s Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond

Nathan's family is from Central Oregon. Nathan's mom, Felila, tells about his diagnosis and many iterations of the treatment that followed. Diagnosis, Treatment and Beyond "Prior to Nathan's diagnosis of T-Cell ALL, we noticed his neck was bumpy and he started...

Welcome Thursday Night Motocross!

Welcome Thursday Night Motocross!

Community Partner Events, Community Partner Spotlight

September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month really showed us the love and support we have in our community. We're thrilled to welcome our new community partner, Thursday Night Motocross. This was the first fundraising event they have held to benefit Candlelighters,...

Families That Shine

The Poirier Family

Meet the Mills-Poirier Family of Albany. They are right in between Portland and Mid-Willamette Valley, so we get to see them at both Portland and...

The Santillan Family

Three-year-old Tatiana and her mom, Juana, like to eat, cook, and watch movies together. Her favorite toys are Minnie Mouse, Frozen, and unicorns....

The Perkins Family

14 year old Alex is a die hard San Francisco 49r fan, whose favorite player is Jimmy Garoppolo. Alex loves anything Marvel. He watches all the...

Healing on the Farm

After her son Julian was diagnosed with childhood cancer in 2019 and died in 2020, Jennifer Bridges, founder of Embrace Compassion, decided...

McCormick Family

I had never heard of retinoblastoma until I was sitting with an ophthalmologist with Derek, then 1, while 36 weeks 5 days pregnant with my second...

Simpson Wight Family

“In November of 2014, I noticed my 8 year old son Robert, had a swollen lymph node of the side of his neck. He felt fine and had no other...

Thull Family

Jared was 11 years old when he got sick. Just about to graduate from 5th grade. It took some time to get a diagnosis. June 18, 2018, he was...

Gunsaulis Family

Our story is like most others. You never think it can happen to “your” child. Ashlynn had just turned 4 years old and was...

Follow Us on Instagram

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Dec 3

We are overwhelmed with your generosity on #GivingTuesday!
As requests for financial help from families from all across Oregon and SW Washington continue at an unprecedented pace, your timely gifts allow us to meet urgent needs for families with a sick child during the holidays.
We've put your $12,540 in donations to immediate use, providing gas cards for children traveling for treatment, snacks and meals for families enduring long stays in the hospital, utilities and rent for financially drained households and holiday gifts for kids with cancer and siblings. Thank you for being part of our community of hope for families with childhood cancer! Learn more about Candlelighters impact at the link in bio.

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Dec 1

We’re doing a happy dance…Thank you for your amazing generosity yesterday, on #givingtuesday! The requests for financial assistance are at a high, and so is our confidence that we can meet them.

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Nov 29

It all helps! Whether you donate, share or like a post…you have the ability to spread the word about your favorite cause on #givingtuesday, and every day. That’s the true spirit of it all 🙏👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Nov 29

In 2022, we are seeing an unforeseen 80% increase in the number of newly diagnosed families requesting financial assistance compared to 2021. Will you join us today, on #GivingTuesday, to help families facing childhood cancer this Holiday season? Whether it's a snack in the hospital, a gas card, a rent or utilities payment, your gift puts a smile on the face of a child and parent, and brings hope to the whole family. Give today at the link in bio.

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Nov 29

@salenagriffith has some good ideas for way to give on #givingtuesday! Donations are always needed, AND so are advocates - you are our messengers and we appreciate all the sharing of posts, mentions, tags and Amazon wishlist gifts. Thank you 🙏

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Nov 29

Today is #GivingTuesday, a global movement of giving! These are requests we get every day for financial assistance for families facing the practical and emotional realities of childhood cancer. Today we’re raising $10,000 for the gifts of comfort and joy for local families facing childhood cancer. By donating to the Emergency Holiday Fund, you will ensure local families facing childhood cancer won't go without this Holiday Season. Link in bio.

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Nov 26

@salenagriffith is a dream donor, volunteer, and spokesperson. She’s always talking up Candlelighters, and wanted to share some thoughts about why on #givingtuesday. Learn more about how you can support Candlelighters this Giving Tuesday - link in bio.

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Nov 24

Happy Thanksgiving from Candlelighters! Lisa, our Programs Manager, delivered sparkling cider, stickers, cookies, and some food baskets for families in the hospital at @ohsudoernbecher.
What are we thankful for? We're grateful to serve the families who will enjoy them, for donor gifts to our snack pantry, for dedicated staff, chapter chairs and board members, for volunteers like @salenagriffith for gifting the food baskets (and so much more!), and for hospital partners. We're also thankful to be part of a local network of nonprofits who all care deeply about serving local kiddos with childhood cancer.

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Nov 22

Why choose Candlelighters this Giving Tuesday? Watch Sarah's video to learn how this year compares to 2021 in the world of childhood cancer. Follow and share - together we can help ease the burden for local families this Holiday season. Link in bio.

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Nov 22

Nathan was diagnosed with T-Cell ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in 2018. Like many childhood cancer stories, his progression from diagnosis to treatment and remission was not linear. Nathan's current scans are good, and he is back at school enjoying 4th grade. Still, he is fighting a new battle - a bacteria that invaded while his immune system was still repressed from treatment.
Living in Central Oregon and receiving cancer treatment in Portland, the family traveled a lot. During one particularly grueling nine-month period, every ten days and monthly for the next two years. On top of the emotional roller coaster, his mom says, "While our employers and coworkers have been very supportive, the travel from Culver to Portland round trip during the winter months could be quite stressful. The summertime travel was costly due to the gas price usually going up."
Read more about Nathan's journey on our website, and watch for ways that you can make a difference to families facing cancer on November 29, Giving Tuesday.
Links in bio.

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Nov 17

After Thanksgiving comes ...Giving Tuesday! This day of giving is just around the corner, and we invite you to kick it off with us by making a difference for families with childhood cancer. While we all feel the pressure of rising gas prices and inflation, families with childhood cancer also face traveling for treatment, losing income when a parent tends to a sick child, and medical bills. The Emergency Holiday Fund meets these most basic and urgent needs.
You can help by sharing on social media or making a gift to the Emergency Holiday Fund for Candlelighters families in need. Link in bio

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Nov 15

Thankful, grateful for the friendships found in this group of #childhoodcancersurvivors, and for the parents, siblings and caregivers who provide their foundation. Thanks to the Frank family for hosting this get together for @the_luminaries.or. The fact that Candlelighters didn’t plan or host the gathering means we can say (with pride) this group has taken on an authenticity and life of its own. And that is a wonderful thing in our book. #werenotcryingyourecrying
Find out about @the_luminaries.or on their Instagram page or at the link in our bio.

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Nov 15

The waves of grief that come with a child's loss are unique, unpredictable and can be particularly painful during the holidays. Candlelighters is here for families throughout the childhood cancer journey, including support for those who have lost a child to pediatric cancer. Bereaved families meet monthly in a group hosted by a skilled Pediatric Psychologist. 🎗️The next meeting is tomorrow, November 15 at 5:45 over zoom. 🎗️
If you have lost a child to cancer, you may find comfort in the monthly support group, Facebook group for bereaved families, resources and remembrance events for the whole family. You are a welcome part of the community. Learn more at link in bio.

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Nov 11

And we have the feel-good hoodies and sweatshirts that fund programs and services for families in Oregon and SW Washington facing childhood cancer. 🎗️ Various colors and youth/adult sizes to choose from. Link in bio.

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Nov 8

It's a busy time of year, so consider this your reminder to add Candlelighters family activities to your calendar. There are all kinds of Holiday gatherings with other Candlelighters families in your area to check out. Visit the Family Activities List on our website, and RSVP for what you're interested in. We'll save your spot.
Link in bio.

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Nov 4

Want to know what's new at Candlelighters? What about how we're rising to the challenge of serving more families than ever with childhood cancer?

Our next supporter letter comes out in 5 days, and it’s full of new ways we're partnering locally, how families are giving back to Candlelighters, and what we're especially thankful for this busy year.

If you haven’t subscribed yet, there’s still time!

👉 Head to the link in bio to get on the list.

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Nov 3

Why? We’ve heard theories, but we honestly don’t know, and we may not. Right now. we’re focused on getting the increasing number of families facing #childhoodcancer the help they need. Whether that means more gas cards, support groups, or ways to connect. And as we grow, remembering to ask and re-evaluate - what else can we do, what might we do differently? As we share more specific ways to help, we hope you’ll grow along with us to support the whole family when a child has cancer.

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Oct 31

We couldn't help ourselves...the #spirithalloweenmeme pull was too strong! Don't get us wrong, unlike these three fantastic youths, childhood cancer is scary, which is why we support the whole family when a child has cancer. That means teens, youth, and their siblings are welcome in the Luminaries Program. All three Luminaries leaders pictured, (Emme, Garrett and Sea) started as members, and all three have had brain cancer. These fantastic humans now give back to other teens with cancer, helping them find a place where they feel at home.
Check out our @the_Luminaries.or on insta or our website - link in bio.

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Oct 27

Sponsor a family and be part of the magic that is Candy Cane Lane, a gift-giving festive walk-through for local families facing childhood cancer. The financial and emotional burdens of childhood cancer can be especially hard on families during the holidays. We’ll match you with a family and give you their wishlists so you can play secret Santa. Find out more or get matched at link in bio.

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Oct 25

At Candlelighters, our focus is on support for the whole family when a child has cancer, from newly diagnosed, to treatment and beyond. The "beyond" is different for each family. We wish it meant that every child was cured. But cancer is a formidable enemy, and when families lose a child, they experience questions, anger, sadness...grief in all forms. Bereaved families are always part of the Candlelighters community. Learn more about support, events, assistance and resources for grieving families on our website. Link in bio.

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