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

August Bereavement Support Group

August Bereavement Support Group

Activities, Bereavement

New Bereavement Support Group Candlelighters is here for families throughout the journey of childhood cancer, and that includes a consistent, safe space of support for those who have lost a child to pediatric cancer. Meeting and getting to know other families...

Scholarship Recipients 2022-2023

Scholarship Recipients 2022-2023

Drum roll please - we are excited to announce three new Candlelighters Scholarship recipients for the 2022-2023 academic year! Congratulations to: Grace Ujifusa from Happy Valley, OR.. Grace’s intended field of study is history, and she is in the process of deciding...

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...

Golf to Give 2022

Golf to Give 2022

Community Partner Events

Golf to Give 2022 Update: A Few Spots Left! The Golf to Give Challenge is a fundraising golf tournament that focuses on raising funds for Candlelighters while also having a great time. Back this year - Golf to Give will drop up to 1000 golf balls from a helicopter...

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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Aug 12

It's amazing to look at these side by side pictures of Roman, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and see the same smile through the challenging and happier times. Of course, there are a lot more moments we don't see that are painful, and those moments are part of the journey of childhood cancer as well. Enduring it all is not a choice for kids with cancer. So Roman's choice to be brave, like his idol, Jackie Robinson, if even some of the time, is pretty darn inspiring. Learn more about Roman, and how you can support #TeamRoman and @rideforachildoregon. Link in bio.

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Aug 12

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Aug 9

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Aug 9

You all have been so generous with the snack wishlist donations! But the thing about such good snacks is...they get eaten. This week's MVPs of the snack world are the most requested ones that go faster than you can say "chips and salsa!" It's pretty easy to throw a snack pantry item into your cart when you're shopping on Amazon.
1. Add the items from wishlist to your cart.
2. When you check out, you'll have the option to select Candlelighters as the shipping address at checkout. Your order will be to Candlelighters address.

Donate from the wishlist here: http://ow.ly/NZps50Kfsan

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Aug 5

Like playing in the dirt? Local? Family fun? Our new local community partner checks all those boxes. We're honored and grateful to be chosen by @thursdaynightmotocross for their September Motocross Race for a Cure. This 50 year old organization has always been a grass roots and generational moto-community, which aligns perfectly with our local organization. More details coming soon. Follow them on social media for some awesome silent auction items in support of raising money for Candlelighters Children with Cancer!

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Aug 5

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Aug 5

With Roman’s relatively recent diagnosis of ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, he is still new to Candlelighters. His favorite activity so far has been the drive through Christmas party, especially finding hidden beanie babies. He just started baseball and loves it, and he has a dog named Bear. In case you couldn't tell from that charming smile, he's here to spread cheer, and quickly made friends with some of the other honored kids at the @RideforachildOregon pizza party. He's the one in yellow, hair grown back 💪. Learn more about Roman here. Learn more about Roman - link to Ride for a Child website in bio.

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Aug 2

We’re just a few weeks away from the most fun you’ll have playing golf and raising money to support Candlelighters! Since they started, @golftogive has raised over $187,000 for Candlelighters families. Get your foursome together, or sign up by yourself and they’ll get you on a team. Register today!
http://ow.ly/oq7n50K95mK

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Jul 28

@RideforaChildOregon, Candlelighters biggest and longest running fundraising event, is off to a great start! Honored Children/unicorns Team Lily and Iris have a message for the team of cyclists riding in their honor...Watch the video to brighten your day! And then head over to Team Lily and Iris to learn more about the twins. Link in bio.

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Jul 27

Meet the Poirier family - Melissa and Jeffrey, and kiddos 6 year old Isaac and 14 year old Joey.
At four, Joey had been living with chronic kidney disease, so when he started to get sicker, at first the family and doctors were confused. "That we found Joey’s cancer was a bit of a miracle...The doctors said if we had waited a week or so more, before finding it, he wouldn’t have made it," says Melissa. At 14, Joey is a brain cancer survivor and an active member of the @the_luminaries.or , Candlelighters group for youth survivors and siblings. Read about the Poirier family's journey, and what Joey is looking forward to this summer. link in bio.

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Jul 27

Our “Picnic on the Farm,” on July 10 was full of hugs and laughter, as well as tears and grief. Families gathered to share and listen alongside others who have experienced the grief of losing a child to cancer.
Families enjoyed crafting terrariums using symbols, and colors in memory of their child. We played games, enjoyed the farm animals, gardens, the fountain, playground and bubbles, and ate under the shade of a tent. We are so grateful to Embrace Compassion for partnering and sharing their beautiful, healing Pearl Street Urban Farm for the second year in a row.
We also announced that we'll be hosting monthly Bereavement Support Groups to offer more healing connection for families.
Learn more about what Candlelighters offers bereaved families at the link in bio under "For Families".

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Jul 25

Saydee was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor at 7 years old and has had multiple surgeries and scans to keep track of her brain tumor. Despite it all, Saydee knows that she can overcome anything: “I am strong, and I can handle anything, no matter how difficult it is,” she says. As a Candlelighters scholarship recipient, Saydee will continue pursuing her A.A. in Science at Portland Community College, and is considering a career in nursing.
Learn more about Candlelighters Scholarships for childhood cancer survivors at the link in bio.

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Jul 22

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 Maria Leija Briones, Asociado de LPC, de Barcelona Counseling.
El grupo es una oportunidad para conocer a otros padres y cuidadores para que puedan compartir sus pensamientos, historias y preocupaciones relacionadas con el cáncer infantil.

LA PRÓXIMA JUNTA
Viernes, 29 de julio, 2022
5:30 p.m.

Inscríbete a los Grupos de Apoyo - enlace en bio

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Jul 21

Lily and Iris like riding things with wheels, creating stop-motion animations, baking and cooking, and the colors pink, green and yellow. When asked who they look up to, both girls named each other, because “she is nice.” Lily has pre-B cell ALL. When she's not feeling well, songs by the band Fun cheer her up, and post-clinic treatments, she wakes up craving Cup-o-Noodles. Learn more about this dynamic duo, and how you can support cyclists and the girls on @rideforachildoregon, or link in bio.

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Jul 21

🤩 We have received 42 donations to the pantry in July ! Wow 🤩 thanks for the amazing response to our snack pantry asks! Not only are we able to fully replenish the Doernbecher pantry at the next drop-off this Friday, we also have backstock! make way for lots of good snacks coming through to @ohsudoernbecher pediatric oncology unit! 🙌🏻🙏🎗

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Jul 19

For families who have just been told their child has cancer, the world is turned upside down in an instant. The stress of a diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming emotionally, mentally, and financially. The goal of Candlelighters’ Emergency Family Assistance is less time worrying about paying bills, and more time spent together as a family.

💛If you are a family with a child in treatment for cancer, we can help💛

🙌If you are a donor, and you want to support families in the eye of the storm, they could use your help - we are seeing an unprecedented nearly 40% increase in requests for financial assistance. 🙌

Learn more at link in bio.

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Jul 18

Please say hi and give a warm welcome to our newest intern & member of Candlelighters' The Luminaries, Aidyn!
"My name is Aidyn Reed and I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 14 years old.
I want to intern at Candlelighters because the Luminaries Teen Support Group helped me find other people going through similar things to me. Candlelighters made me feel less isolated in my experiences and showed me that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. I now have friends who know what it’s like to fight this fight and they’ve celebrated every milestone with me. I’m so grateful for all of the love and support I’ve received from Candlelighters and I’m looking to help give back to this amazing organization during my internship."

P.S. Aidyn started and runs the Luminaries Instagram page @the_luminaries.or, be sure to check it out and follow.

Learn more about the remarkable Aidyn, and her ongoing cancer journey here: http://ow.ly/jyeh50JXba6

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Jul 15

Starting this month, bereaved parents and caregivers have a dedicated support group. Our Bereavement Support Group is facilitated by Dr. Marianne Kabour from Randall Children’s Hospital. We meet on Zoom the third Tuesday of each month at 5:45 p.m. Our first meeting is this Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 5:45 p.m.

�The topic for our first group is “Welcome to my grief”. Since this is our first group together, we will spend time talking and connecting. Things to think about for this week….what are you hoping to get out of the group, what are you struggling with the most, how can the group help support you?

RSVP here: http://ow.ly/7FJJ50JX2Nn

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Jul 14

Jared was 11 years old, about to graduate from 5th grade when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). His family met Candlelighters Southern Oregon chapter chair, Kimberly, early on. Kimberly connected the family to practical resources, and she showed up for Jared during many hospital admissions, with treats and distractions, an ally at every turn. Jared's mom, Nicole, says "Candlelighters have been there for us in ways no one else could be." Now 15, Jared is inspiring this year's Ride for a Child riders with his positive outlook and determination. Learn more about supporting Team Jared: link in bio.

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Jul 13

Meet Samantha, leukemia cancer survivor and Candlelighters 2022/2023 Scholarship recipient. She will be attending @wsupullman in the fall and plans to study Psychology and Environmental Science. Sammy is the salutatorian of her class and also is a three-sport athlete, playing soccer, tennis, and basketball.
When asked about receiving this scholarship and the organization, Sammy says, "I received so much support through the Candlelighters camps and programs. My parents and sister also benefited greatly from the activities, education, and developing friendships with other families dealing with cancer. I am unbelievably thankful for this scholarship!"
Candlelighters proudly supports teens like Samantha, who are dealing with local childhood cancer, and hopes to be a part of Samantha's future successes!
Read more about Sammy and Candlelighters scholarships here:
http://ow.ly/rExi50JL9Ek

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