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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.

Meet Ride for a Child Cyclist, John

Meet Ride for a Child Cyclist, John

Going into his third year as a Ride for a Child (Candlelighters biggest fundraiser), John Donnelly is leading the training ride schedule and part of the planning committee. We're happy to have him on the team, and wanted to learn more about him through a Q&A. Q:...

Elias the Thankful One-Armed Chef

Elias the Thankful One-Armed Chef

Elias and his family are extremely grateful for the Candy Cane Lane gifts during this past holiday season. Erica, Elias's mom shared, "I cannot express how truly grateful we are for the incredible Christmas gifts we received this year. It is with the utmost sincerity...

The Larsens’ Story of Hope

The Larsens’ Story of Hope

“When you have a story of hope, there’s an obligation to share it with others.” Luke, Lewis’s dad Those who are lucky enough to meet Lewis know he has a smile that lights up every room and every heart. At just three months old, Lewis was diagnosed with hormone...

Michael’s Story

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

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

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

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

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

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,...

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...

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...

Meet Aidyn

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

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

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...

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