This year I am walking in the Candlelighters Fun Walk and I would love for you to support me! I am walking in honor of all the families who face childhood cancer. I know that Candlelighters makes a difference in the lives of childhood cancer families each and every day. Get inspired – watch this video
in 2019 I was blessed to be a counselor at the camp (go Cabin 13!). It was an amazing experience to see the resiliency of the survivors and their families.
Here's what Fun Walk donations will be used toward this year:
1. Hospital Parking Assistance - Candlelighters has still been able to provide hospital parking financial assistance to families digitally. {Families have to pay $13 per day to park at the hospitals.}
2. Emotional Support - families more than ever before are nervous to leave their homes, feeling isolated, being torn apart (thanks to hospital visitor restrictions) and we've been ramping up our peer-to-peer support efforts. Our weekly support group meetings have grown, and Candlelighters Parent Consultants (staff who are also parents of childhood cancer survivors) are working around the clock to touch base and check-in with our families and their needs.
3. Gas Cards & Grocery Cards - these have been Candlelighters top request throughout the COVID-19 crisis as families more than ever are strapped for basic needs due to furloughs and layoffs.
4. Memorial Funds - cancer hasn't quit, unfortunately. Children are still being diagnosed and gaining their angel wings. Candlelighters provides financial assistance for families to hold memorial services for their children.
In addition to Candlelighters daily efforts, we’re staying on top of the CDC and American Oncology Camping Association message boards to make the best decision for our weekend family camp, Camp CLIFF. The Fun Walk usually completely funds this weekend getaway for Candlelighters families – a getaway that is MUCH needed from the daily grind of a childhood cancer diagnosis. Should camp be unable to happen this fall, it is Candlelighters goal to be able to provide a virtual camping experience and activities for families instead of a physical weekend getaway.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to help keep Candlelighters afloat so we can continue to serve childhood cancer families. Whatever you can give, thank you for helping all the children with cancer and their families that Candlelighters serves!