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

Enero Grupos de apoyo en español

Enero Grupos de apoyo en español

Grupos de apoyo en español Conéctate con otros parientes y cuidadores que entienden como es tener un hijo diagnosticado con cáncer. Ofrecemos una serie de grupos de apoyo en español por Zoom el último viernes de cada mes a las 5:30 p.m. El grupo es facilitado por...

Samantha’s Update: “More than I ever expected”

Samantha’s Update: “More than I ever expected”

News, Youth Spotlight

Samantha's Update: "More than I ever expected" It turns out, Samantha's first year has been even better than she imagined. Heading into the last half of the school year, we were curious how the 2022-2023 Scholarship Awardees were feeling about their academic year so...

A Letter from Melissa Rose, Board President

A Letter from Melissa Rose, Board President

Our Stories, Volunteer Spotlight

Excitement is in the air at Candlelighters! From our board and staff, to our amazing volunteers and community partners, we eagerly greet the promise of this new year. I feel so honored to step into the role of board president at this time. As an organization,...

Cancer Ski Out

Cancer Ski Out

Community Partner Events

Cancer Ski Out is all about having fun and raising funds for local cancer organizations - including Candlelighters! This year, they celebrate 34 years of serious fun on March 12-13. Register here The party is back on the Mountain this year for the annual Cancer Ski...

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...

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Jan 28

Yes! Candlelighters currently hosts three monthly support groups: Parent & Caregiver, Spanish speaking Parent & Caregiver, and Bereavement Support. All three groups are facilitated by vetted, licensed professionals who can answer your questions about what you are experiencing, and they are a great way to connect with other parents & caregivers - new members are always welcome. Come as you are and bring your questions, concerns, tears, encouragement, or just listen. Support groups meet via zoom, so you can join from anywhere in the area we serve - Oregon and SW Washington area. Find out more about the groups, and how to sign up at the link in bio.
Do you have a question for Candlelighters you'd like to see us answer on the FAQs? Comment below!

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Jan 26

Meet Melissa Rose, Candlelighters parent and board president.
Melissa joined the Candlelighters board in 2020, and immediately jumped into action. Her professional experience as a non profit administrator has been key to helping Candlelighters weather the impact of COVID.
Most importantly, as a parent, Melissa knows firsthand the incredible strength and resiliency of the children and families going through treatment. She's excited to make the lives of families going through cancer easier through the care and connection Candlelighters provides. Read her letter to the community at the link in bio.

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Jan 24

When Larry "Chad" Chadwick joined the Candlelighters board in 2019, it was with a deep understanding of the cancer nonprofit fundraising landscape, having founded the Oregon Cancer Ski Out in 1988. 2019 launched some challenging years, and having his expertise when the world turned upside down proved invaluable.
Past board member, Cory Connors says, "I met Chad at Golf To Give for the first time. He introduced himself to me as "Larry, but my friends call me Chad." We hit it off right away, and I appreciated his wisdom over the next few years as we served together in many ways. He is an inspiration to me and to many."
Thank you, Chad! Chad is stepping away from his Board service at Candlelighters, but he will continue to serve the cancer community through the work he is doing at @CancerSkiOut and the Cancer Resource Fund.
Learn more about the Cancer Ski Out at the link in bio.

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Jan 20

Some bedside buddies are a little extra. We like to think that each one ends up with exactly the right kiddo who needs their specific charm - a perfect match ⭐️
If you like the idea of bringing joy to kids who are newly admitted to the hospital with cancer, check out our bedside buddy Amazon wishlist. Link in bio.

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Jan 19

Raise your hand if you've sent a kid to college! 🖐️ Candlelighters Scholarships help send three childhood cancer survivors to college a year, so naturally, we're eager to hear all about their experiences! We checked in with Samantha, scholarship recipient and first year student @WSUpullman, and were encouraged by her view: "The challenges I faced in my childhood due to cancer has given me the perspective that as a society we can get through environmental, political, and other difficulties that we face. The technology and cooperation that it took to get me through my ailment is a reflection of this..." Read all about it on our website, and sign up to be notified when the 2023-2024 scholarship applications open! Link in bio.

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Jan 16

If you've attended a Candlelighters fundraising event or family activity, chances are you've had the pleasure of meeting past board president, Meghan Duncan, or hearing her tell her story. With a tenure of 10 years, Meghan is the longest serving board member, and will be exiting her role as a board member, staying involved as a volunteer and family.

Meghan joined the board because she is, firstly, a Candlelighters parent. Her son Felix was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November 2007, at just 22 months old. With Felix now healthy and happy, Meghan remains passionate about giving back and assuring other families that they do not have to go through the journey of pediatric cancer alone. She shared a little about her time on the board below:

"It has been one of my great honors to give back to Candlelighters and sit on the Board as a representative for families. I would say that using my voice to serve the community I love so dearly has been my greatest contribution. At the heart of Candlelighters is our mission and that mission is my heart. My very favorite part of my time at Candlelighters has been spent with the families we serve. Family Camp is always a highlight, seeing families smile, laugh, make connections, heal, and just have space to be together in a safe setting is magical. I move off the Board with complete confidence in the parent voices that will continue to make an impact and use their voice for our community; especially Candlelighter new Board President and parent Melissa Rose. "

As fellow board member Cory Connors says, "Meghan is an incredible person and leader. She has been through so much with her family and they have come out as stronger and wiser because of these events. Listening to Megan speak ... reminded us all why we were there, and she told her story in such an elegant way. I’m honored to call Megan my friend."

Thank you, Meghan, for the care and authenticity you radiate!

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Jan 14

In early December, we noticed that emergency financial assistance requests from families were quickly outpacing those of December of 2021. With growing concern, we called for your help. The final numbers are in, and financial requests in December 2022 ended up 47% higher than December of 2021.

Your generous response ensured that those in our Candlelighters community facing childhood cancer did not go without! Thank you for your part in easing the burden of childhood cancer this holiday season, and for your commitment to whatever joys and challenges 2023 has in store.

Looking for ways to get involved in 2023? Check out our website for monthly connection opportunities for Candlelighters families, and for ways to give, fundraise and advocate. link in bio.

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Jan 12

We are so fortunate to have had Cory Connors on our Board of Directors for seven years. The contributions he's made to fundraising, helping with family activities, Golf to Give and more are substantial! As he exits his position on the board, we want to recognize and thank @corygated for seven years of dedication to Candlelighters.
Board member and Candlelighters mom Meghan Duncan says,
"Cory Conners is a special guy. I have had the privilege of serving on the Board with Cory for seven years now. It might be fair to say that I am protective of who sits on the Board of Candlelighters as a parent and voice for my community. From day one I appreciated Cory. There can be times when a Board can seem a bit static and you need someone to come in and give it some life, someone with fresh eyes and ideas, someone with a whole lot of heart and that is Cory. What I appreciate most about Cory besides his friendship, support and encouragement is his passion to get things done, not part way done or maybe later but let's do this now. Cory was always willing to volunteer and be a face from the Board to our families, he came to Family Camp with his family and volunteered with his Dad at almost every Candlelighters event. I honestly can say that his contribution to the Board helped change the culture of the Board and the Organization in a very positive way. Thank you Cory for giving your heart and passion to Candlelighters, the impact you made was important and appreciated. I am also very grateful that I have gained a lifelong friend."

Thank you, Cory! We look forward to your ongoing leadership on @golftogive.

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Jan 6

We're determined to help students like Saydee by offering 3 scholarships each year to H.S. seniors or current college students previously or currently diagnosed with cancer and reside in Oregon and SW WA. Applications open in early Spring! Learn more, and sign up to get news when applications open at link in bio.

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Jan 5

Families, if 2023 is starting off with financial stress, know that we have your back. A new year means that your yearly Emergency Financial Assistance is filled back up. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply for EFA through Candlelighters: link in bio.

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Jan 2

When her niece, Journey, was diagnosed with Leukemia 4 years ago, Amanda Garcia was worried about her health, and the toll that treatment was taking on her sister's family. After she saw the bright spot that Candlelighters provided her niece, she decided to volunteer. She's since volunteered at many events in Portland and Eugene, an experience that has given her back a sense of empowerment, and helped many Candlelighters along the way. Read Amanda's story at the link in bio.

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Dec 31

Wrapping up 2022 with plenty of good memories! We celebrated 45 years as an organization, went back to in-person camp, started a parent / caregiver support group for Latinx Spanish speaking families, a bereavement support group, had a fantastic year back in person at Ride for a Child, gained many new families, volunteers and supporters. Here’s to you, our community for making it meaningful 🙏🎗❤️.

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Dec 28

Dr. Storm is a pediatric oncologist at Randall Children's hospital here in Portland. Here, she gives us an update on the critical needs we are meeting for families with childhood cancer. If you are considering making a year-end donation, there is still time to support local families by giving to our Emergency Fund. Link in bio.

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Dec 23

Thank you to Hands Helping Hands from #WestLinnHighSchool for putting together holiday meal baskets for kids and their families at @OHSUDoernbecher Children's Hospital. Candlelighters is committed to helping families who are staying at the hospital with their child - during the Holidays and throughout the year. Want to help? We are currently accepting food pantry donations and bedside buddies’ donations for 2023. To donate, go to AmazonSmile Charity Lists. You can select items from the wishlists, and they will be mailed directly to our office for delivery to hospitals! Link in bio.

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Dec 22

We are deeply grateful to serve the local childhood cancer community, and wish you the happiest of holidays. To families we serve, donors, volunteers, board members, chapter leaders, local community partners, hospitals, and social workers - THANK YOU for making this work possible!

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Dec 21

Thank you for making 2022 Candy Cane Lane so incredible! To all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers who shopped for, wrapped and delivered hundreds of gifts for Candlelighters families, and to those who supported the #EmergencyHolidayFund on Giving Tuesday, you made a huge impact. Read a letter from Lisa, our Programs Manager at the link in bio.

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Dec 20

On Saturday, bereaved families gathered to remember the children they have lost to childhood cancer. Hope and comfort can be found in community, and bereaved and grieving families always have a place of honor. 💛
Learn how to find support and resources on our website www.CandlelightersOregon.org.

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Dec 17

Love and loss are a permanent part of the Holidays for families who have lost a child. Bereavement support is part of what Candlelighters provides for families with childhood cancer, and bereaved families are especially close to our hearts this time of year. 💔🎗. If you know someone or are someone who is looking for bereavement support, visit our website for activities, groups and resources. Link in bio.

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Dec 17

“There’s room for everyone on the nice list!” Who else loves Buddy the Elf? Easy one. Next question - who has seen Elf, the musical? Thanks to @KeyBank and Jason Frankel, we can add Candlelighters to that list! They sponsored a @the_luminaries.or outing to see the hit show, Elf the musical at the @lakewoodtheatre. Buddy would be proud of this group's Holiday spirit!
If you know a youth or sibling affected by childhood cancer, check out our Luminaries program. We'd love to welcome you, and we meet each Thursday online, and sometimes in person 🙂 Learn more about the Luminaries at the link in bio or their Instagram page.

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Dec 15

Candlelighters staff - minus Camille, recovering from COVID - held our second annual wreath making party yesterday @farmingtongardens, and we had so much fun!
Each one of us is celebrating the season - and another year of serving families. We are thankful to continue the work that started 45 years ago, and for each and every family we come in contact with - thank you for allowing us to be part of your family's childhood cancer journey!
Curious about our staff, board, and chapters? Learn more on our website - link in bio.

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