Connecting Families

Candlelighters was started in 1977 from a desire to connect families. Now, 45 years later, that passion is still at the heart of what we do and how we serve.

Our vision for fostering transformational, lifelong relationships begins with supporting the entire family as they face childhood cancer together from diagnosis through treatment and beyond and embracing them into a community that understands what they’re going through.

No matter where you are in your journey, we are here for and with you.

Parent & Caregiver Support Group

Connecting with other parents and caregivers who understand having a child diagnosed with cancer can be incredibly helpful. Join our online support group meetings, facilitated by Dr. Marianne Kabour.

This will be a chance to meet other parents and caregivers so that you can share your thoughts, stories, and concerns related to childhood cancer. If there’s a specific topic you would like to address, please send it to Nicole ahead of time.

Parent & Caregiver Support Group Sign-Up

These online support groups are hosted by Candlelighters, and moderated by Dr. Marianne Kabour. We meet on Zoom the first Wednesday of each month at 6:45 p.m. We will email you the Zoom link in advance.

Parent Mentorship Program

Candlelighters Parent Mentorship Program began with the recognition that there is an unmet need of social-emotional support for parents and caregivers of children facing pediatric cancer throughout Oregon and SW Washington. We heard – and hear – frequently from hospital care teams that parents/caregivers with newly diagnosed children are desperate for connection and ask for help to meet other parents who have experienced a similar diagnosis. But due to privacy regulations (HIPAA) regulations, the hospital care teams are not able to facilitate direct parent-to-parent connection. We began exploring ways to fill this gap in partnership with the hospitals we work with.

The mission of the parent pilot mentorship program is to provide Candlelighters parents with unique understanding, encouragement, and support that only another parent who has walked a similar path can provide.

Mentors are Candlelighters parents who would like to give back by providing peer support to parents of newly diagnosed children. They also meet criteria around the length of time from their own child’s treatment, and are provided  training that we developed with the help of the clinical staff and the psychosocial team at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Randall Children’s Hospital.

Candlelighters Programs staff  matches the mentor with the mentee, and makes the introduction, with scheduled check-ins throughout the mentorship.

We currently have space for more parents who wish to be matched with a mentor. If you have a child in treatment, and are looking for another parent to talk to, please contact Nicole, or fill out the form at the right, and Nicole will follow up with you.

Our long term goal is to provide an expanded, sustainable, referral-based parent peer support program in collaboration with our partner hospitals. We’re also grateful for a grant from the Knight Cancer Institute to fund the program. 

If you have questions about this program, please contact Nicole. For news and press related questions, contact Angela.

Youth Programs

The Luminaries is Candlelighters’ youth and young adult program whose focus is on increasing positive social interactions and building leadership skills. The Luminaries’ mission is to provide space for kids and young adults who have experienced cancer and their youth siblings to connect, grow, and support one another through fun social connections, projects and activities.

Watch videos to learn more about the Luminaries. Garrett, one of our leaders shares how joining The Luminaries opened up a new world for him after his diagnosis at 16. Watch Sea’s dance to Warrior a beautiful interpretation of her cancer journey. Check out the full Luminaries playlist on YouTube.

The Luminaries program is open to anyone that has been diagnosed with cancer or their siblings and is aged 13-21. The Luminaries meet every other week online to chat and in person for fun activities. Email Nicole for information on how to join!

Bereavement

We understand that the pain and grief of losing a child are unimaginable. You are not alone.

Candlelighters offers two opportunities during the year for bereaved families to gather for a time of remembrance and to connect with others who are walking a similar path.

Bereaved families are always welcome to attend all Candlelighters family activities. Meeting and getting to know other families experiencing the same kind of grief offers strength and healing through community.

We also help with funeral costs. If you are newly bereaved, please ask your social worker for assistance requesting funds.

For additional information, please email Nicole or give her a call at 503-719-4244. You can also join our private Candlelighters Bereavement Community Group on Facebook.

Candlelighters Family Camp

Family Camp 2024

Each year, we look forward to Candlelighters at Family Camp, sharing time for healing, play and rest. After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause camp for Summer 2024. Our top priority remains, to serve our local childhood cancer community throughout their entire cancer journey with practical, financial and emotional support. Visit our Activities Page for a current list of family activities throughout Oregon and SW Washington. If you haven’t already, we recommend looking into the growing number of regional camps for kids and families with cancer. We look forward to spending time together this summer, including recurring monthly events like Mom’s Tea, Family Movie Nights, support groups and more. 

Candlelighters Family Camp  2023

Family Camp 2023 took place over Labor Day weekend at Camp Harlow, Eugene. Thank you to all of our volunteers, families and supporters for a wonderful weekend of connection, laughter, friends and memories.

Here’s what was new this year: more new-to-Candlelighters families than ever before, our new Programs Coordinator, Nicole, a new lantern lighting ceremony to end camp, and (not really new, but back after several years) on-site haircuts for families donated by local professional barbers and stylists.

The hardest part about camp is what makes it such a blast – choosing from the numerous fun activities offered at Camp Harlow, including the pool, bumper boats, go-carts, gaga ball, basketball, pickleball, mini golf, zipline, horseback riding, big swing, suspension bridge, climbing wall, playground. and craft shack. Phew! Take a look at the photos. We already can’t wait til next year!

Since 1995, every Labor Day weekend we have hosted Family Camp in Eugene, OR for all Candlelighters family members. These three incredible days are filled with laughter, play, connecting, love, and healing.

Our families come together and get the opportunity to experience the magic of Family Camp while horseback riding, zip-lining, swimming, riding go-karts and bumper boats, attending campfires, and so much more! This is a weekend for families to come together and create lifelong memories.

Candlelighters Family Camp is offered to children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Attendance is 100% free of charge, ensuring that all families who are interested in having the Family Camp experience can participate regardless of socioeconomic status or trying to balance medical bills during treatment.

What makes Candlelighters Family Camp unique is that the experience is for the entire family. Parents, siblings, and even the child living with cancer enjoy a weekend where the worries of treatments and associated struggles are left behind.

“The Candlelighters staff, volunteers, and camp staff were above and beyond amazing. We can’t thank you enough. Seeing my little girl that happy and free was everything. We all agreed it was the best weekend we’ve had since her diagnosis and can’t wait to come back. Thank you for all your hard work and time.” – Camp 2022 attendee

Your Family’s Story

Every childhood cancer story is unique, and we want to learn more about yours!