Candlelighters

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

October Parent & Caregiver Support Group

October 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...

Joey and the Luminaries in the News

Joey and the Luminaries in the News

News, Uncategorized, Youth Spotlight

Joey and the Luminaries in the local news! Joey, Christian and Sea, pictured at Candlelighters Family Camp - and all of our Luminaries group continue to inspire the community. Joey and his mom, Melissa shared what it was like for Joey and their family to find a group...

Spark hope for families facing childhood cancer.

Spark hope for families facing childhood cancer.

If you're reading this, you've probably been affected by childhood cancer. Sharing your experience can make a big difference to other families, just like someone else inspired enough hope for you to keep going during the toughest of times. We believe in the power of...

Ride for a Child News

Ride for a Child News

Candlelighters Events

Ride for a Child News: That's a wrap! For the riding, at least. Fundraising will continue, even as the Ride For A Child 2022 cyclists finished the 7 day Cycle Oregon Classic through the magnificent Painted Hills on September 10-17, 2022. Each cyclist covered 272-443...

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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Oct 5

Meet Lizzy Duarte! Lizzy is joining the team as an intern, and we're happy to welcome her to Candlelighters. She'll be working with Lisa on our Programs for families. Cool fact: Lizzy is bilingual, which means that 1/3 of our office is bilingual 😀!

From Lizzy:
"Hello my name is Lizzy Duarte, I was raised in Southern Oregon. In the past I have worked with organizations focused on supporting the wellbeing of families and am excited to work with Candlelighters. I am also a current student at PSU working towards my Master of Social Work degree.

Hola mi nombre es Lizzy Duarte, me crié en el sur de Oregon. En el pasado he trabajado con organizaciones enfocadas en apoyar el bienestar de las familias, y estoy emocionada de trabajar con Candlelighters. También soy estudiante de PSU trabajando para conseguir mi maestría en los trabajos sociales.

P.S.: Did you know we offer a monthly LatinX Parent / Caregiver Support Group for Spanish speakers, and our Quarterly Family Newsletter in Spanish? Learn more on our website or at link in bio.

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Sep 30

Thank you to all who came out on a Thursday night to a gathering hosted by @50fallsby50, for giving so generously to support Candlelighters families. And thank you to the Wear family for sharing what Candlelighters has meant to you during your daughter’s cancer journey. We are, as always, so thankful to be part of this community. What a great way to end September, #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth!

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Sep 30

Saydee was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 7, and has had multiple treatments, scans, and surgeries since then. Now 20, she has embraced the strength that her struggles have produced. She's interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and is the recipient of a Candlelighters Scholarship for the 2022/2023 school year. We got to hang out with Saydee and her supportive family at Family Camp last month, and we're excited to see what her future holds!
If you want to learn more about our Scholarship program, or sign up for news about next year's scholarship applications, visit our website. Link in bio.

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Sep 27

The #childhoodcancersurvivors in our @the_luminaries.or continue to inspire with their friendships, kindness and bravery.
Watch this @koin6 story about one of our Luminaries, Joey and you'll see why. Thank you for telling our stories @jennyhanssonkoin. Watch the video at the link in bio.

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Sep 22

11 year old Haydin has relapsed pre b acute lymphoblastic leukemia - that means he went through treatment, and now the cancer has returned. Typically, the treatment of relapsed ALL is more intensive than for newly diagnosed ALL. For Haydin, that treatment means weekly trips from La Grande, OR to Portland and back again. La Grande, in Eastern Oregon, a 260 mile, 4 hour car trip to Portland - one way. Still Haydin's mom says that what's brought them hope is the great relationship they have with his Doctor - "We are very close with her and she is always very honest with us." Thank you, healthcare teams @ohsudoernbecher and Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel for giving families facing cancer hope and honesty in what can be a long and unpredictable road.

If you are a family facing childhood cancer in Oregon or SW Washington, Candlelighters can help offset travel costs with gas cards. Learn more about financial assistance options at the link in bio.

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Sep 20

What does hope look like to you during childhood cancer? Friendship? Video games? Family? Financial support? Good medical care? Drop a comment below 👇 or tag someone who gives you hope!

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Sep 19

Thank you to one of @RideforachildOregon #1 fans and supporters, Jim Stumpf of @overheaddoorpdx. Jim could tell you some stories about bicycle crashes, hospital stays riding after knee surgeries. The thing is, he would do it with a laugh, a smile and end with "what can I do to help next year?"
Thank you for your commitment to @CandlelightersOregon families, Jim and Overhead Door! And congrats for yet another stellar year of fundraising and supporting.
Learn more about Ride for a Child at the link in bio.

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Sep 16

They really went 💯 for Candlelighters, and it was everything! The dedication and hard work that @thursdaynightmotocross put into planning this night really showed! Tables full of super cool auction items, reserved seats, pizza and an autographed jersey for our families…we felt the ❤️! So humbled and grateful for these folks and their shared commitment to local families. Thank you, @thursdaynightmotocross 🎗🙏

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Sep 15

Grace has overcome both childhood leukemia (2008) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (2021). These two types of cancer have given her many challenges, yet beating them has given Grace a better sense of what is important: human connection. When she received a Candlelighters Scholarship in June, she sent a thank you note that we wanted to share. Her positive attitude and commitment to finding community (not to mention that amazing handwriting!) will be sure to continue to serve her in whatever she chooses to do.
Find out more about Grace's future plans, and how Candlelighters provides assistance to families with childhood cancer. Link in bio.

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Sep 14

"She believed she could, so she did" - a quote from Erin's Instagram page is fitting for both of these survivors.
For her 20 year anniversary diagnosis date, Sarah, Candlelighters' Executive Director, decided to train and cycle in her first @RideforaChildOregon event, pushing her body and determination to new limits. Erin, a 5 year childhood cancer survivor, is there as part of the tent and porter crew, setting up camp each day for tired cyclists. Erin's been part Candlelighters's youth program, the @the_luminaries.or and received a Candlelighters scholarship last year. She's currently a student and crew member at @oregon_rowing.
Follow and cheer on Sarah, our cyclists and honored children as we ride and fundraise for #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth! link in bio.

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Sep 13

Layla is 6 years old, and in treatment for T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When we asked where hope could come from during this dark journey, her mom said, "My daughters bravery and strength has been a source of my hope from day one. Layla is such a positive bundle of joy no matter what she’s feeling or what she’s going through. She’s my hero. Having such kind and supportive people in our life, whether it be our local community, family and friends, our hospital nurses, and programs we have found make fighting cancer a little easier (like Candlelighters, cancer camps, joy jars and letters from @teamnegu, and SO much more)."
You can help ignite hope and awareness during #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth. Fundraising is great, but there are more ways to give than monetarily. By sharing posts, what YOU have found helpful during your child's cancer journey, more families will to know they are not alone in this. Drop a comment below, or visit our page for ways to take action this month. Advocacy and Awareness link in bio.

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Sep 12

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Sep 10

@johnson_rvs, thank you for being a longtime partner and supporter of Ride for a Child, and the childhood cancer community. Local businesses supporting local families like honored child Brandon's - that's how it's done! Learn more about how Ride for a Child raises awareness and funds for kids and families with cancer - just in time for #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth.

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Sep 9

12 year old Brandon was diagnosed with AML (Acute myeloid leukemia), a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects the myeloid cells, in 2015. He is the oldest of 3, and he wants to be a Doctor or a soccer player. His favorite quote is “It won't be easy, but it will be worth it” because "It motivates me to continue. No matter how difficult things are, when you make an effort in the end everything will be worth it."
Brandon's words also inspiring #TeamBrandon as they cycle hundreds of miles to fundraise this upcoming week for our biggest fundraiser, @RideforaChildOregon.
Learn more about Brandon, how to support local kids and families with childhood cancer during #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth. Link in bio.

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Sep 7

Candlelighters families were in the "Community Spotlight" at the @EugeneEmeralds baseball game last week. One of our own Mid-Willamette Valley kiddos - Roman - even got to throw the first pitch! Thanks for the last hurrah before the start of school, Eugene Emeralds and sponsor Sterling Vision!
Is your organization looking to partner with a local nonprofit? September is #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth, and there are a lot of ways to show your support. Email Camille@candlelightersoregon.org, or check out our website for more. Link in bio.

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Sep 6

Candlelighters Family Camp 2022 🎗💛🎗 we couldn’t and wouldn’t do this without our families, volunteers, community partners. @camp_harlow @embracecompassion @thewandersofbee @ohsudoernbecher survivorship clinic, and Dr. Kabour for enriching this experience with your skills.

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Sep 6

The easy friendships kids strike up in a safe space surrounded by nature, families laughing, crying, grieving together over shared experiences with childhood cancer, speeding down the zipline while encouraged by new friends…these are just a few of the things that make family camp for the whole family so special. All in all, it’s a great way to start out #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth. More pics coming soon 💛🎗⛺️
Learn more about how Candlelighters serves the whole family with childhood cancer. Link in bio.

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Sep 4

Getting our zip on @candlelightersoregon Family Camp! Whether 2ft or 20 ft off the ground, we’re having a blast cheering each other on 💛🎗💛🕺🏼

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Sep 2

@rideforachildoregon is in the news! Thank you to brave Candlelighters kiddo and honored child Heaven, and father/daughter riders, Gregg and Mary Hold, riding for #TeamHeaven for sharing your story in front of a big camera, and Jenny Hansson for putting it together. The video is to the right of the title near the top, and will play after some ads.
Link in bio.

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Sep 1

Sometimes hope is a gas card.
Though Nathan and his family live in Central Oregon, his monthly chemo treatments were at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. The family spent a lot of time in the car during those three years of monthly chemo treatments. This is not an uncommon situation for families with a sick child who live throughout Oregon. It's why a lot of families rack up gas bills and time off, losing work days that might help pay said bills. This is why Candlelighters provides gas cards for families.
We need your help this September, #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth. Your sharing, giving & fundraising helps keep up with the rise in gas card requests, so families can keep up the treatment. Learn more at links in bio.

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