Our Stories
Candlelighters is built on the cornerstone of community, and a vital part of community is getting to know others, sharing experiences and stories.
Read through the Candlelighters blog posts below for news, updates, and to learn about other Candlelighters families. Please consider sharing your own story with us, too! Every childhood cancer story is unique, and we want to learn more about yours.
Michael’s Story
Kimberly Bruhn is co-Chapter Chair of Southern Oregon Candlelighters. She and her family understand what it's like to go through childhood cancer, from the shock of diagnosis to the grief of loss of their son Michael. Below, she shares what it was like for the Bruhn...
Meet the Founders of Golf to Give
Meet the Founders of Golf to Give, Darren and Scott As we head into peak Golf season in the NW, one event we look forward to each year is the Golf to Give Challenge. In terms of fun and fundraising, it exceeds expectations each and every year. We talked to the...
Volunteer Spotlight: Natasha Strength
About Ride for a Child Ride for a Child (RFAC) is Candlelighters biggest, and longest running fundraiser. The cyclists who ride and fundraise are a super-dedicated group of volunteers. In this case, volunteering means miles of training to prepare for the weeklong...
Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Holt
About Ride for a Child Ride for a Child (RFAC) is Candlelighters biggest, and longest running fundraiser. The cyclists who ride and fundraise are a super-dedicated group of volunteers. In this case, volunteering means miles of training to prepare for the weeklong...
Nicole Ek, Programs Coordinator
Welcome Nicole Ek as our Programs Coordinator! This friendly and familiar face now joins Candlelighters staff in an "official" capacity. Nicole's involvement in Candlelighters predates the current staff by years. Nicole is mom to Emme, one of our Luminaries...
Lifelong Friends Ride for a Child
Friendship and Loss When asked how he first heard about Ride for a Child, rider Paul Brandes is quick to respond. Dick Hartung - founder of RFAC - has been his best friend since they attended grade school together. Even as they grew up and had families of their own,...
A Letter from Melissa Rose, Board President
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,...
“Volunteering Empowered Me”
"I started volunteering with the Mid-Willamette Valley chapter in 2019 after my niece was diagnosed with ALL at the age of two. I helped as much as I was able but I felt very powerless to make any difference in all that was going on in their lives. Journey was...
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...
Joey and the Luminaries in the News
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.
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...
Meet Aidyn
Meet Aidyn, Candlelighters Programs intern, cancer survivor and Luminaries member, "My name is Aidyn Reed and I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 14 years old. I went into Randall Children’s Hospital with kidney and heart failure and got diagnosed a week later...
Foundation of Hope : The Sumpter Family
It's been 45 years since Candlelighters was founded by 5 families facing childhood cancer in 1977. Throughout the years, many more families have added their own stories, experiences, and insights to make our community what it is today. Each and every program - like...
Meet Tatiana
Meet Tatiana! Tatiana, now three, was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor, a type of kidney cancer, in August of 2021, and is currently in treatment. Tatiana's favorite toys are Minnie Mouse, Frozen, musical toys, and unicorns, and she likes looking at books. She enjoys...
Surviving Wilms Tumor as a Child: Mollie
March is kidney cancer awareness month, and we're talking with our community about our shared experiences. Mollie Worcester, our Board President, was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor as a very young child. Learn more about how it affected her and her family, and what...
“Sharing the love for my mom” – Nicole & Emme
Emme (right) is part of our Luminaries youth leaders, a volunteer and advocate for Candlelighters and brain cancer awareness. She was diagnosed with Medullablastoma in 2009. Here, she shares about the special bond she has with her mom, Nicole. Q: What caregiver has...
Meet Jessica. She’s helping survivors live their best lives.
Throughout the month of February, we're making an extra effort to ensure parents, caregivers and healthcare workers know just how much their care means to the childhood cancer community. The Survivorship Program at Doernbecher Children's Hospital cares for kids and...
Three Years Later: An Update on Jared
The Thull family has been through quite a few challenges the past couple of years since we profiled them in Family That Shines. Along with COVID and Jared's cancer treatments, wildfires and home evacuation were also part of their world. When Jared's mom, Nicole posted...