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General Information

What Candlelighters is...

The Childhood Cancer Foundation ~ Candlelighters Canada is a national support and information network with international affiliation. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of children and teens with cancer, their families and all those who care for and about them.

Why Candlelighters Exists...

Every year in Canada, approximately 1,400 more children will be diagnosed with some form of childhood cancer, joining the 8-10,000 already living with some aspect of cancer or its long-term effects. The sad fact remains that only accidents kill more children in this country than cancer. Other organizations do an excellent job of research, accommodation for families and granting wishes, but there are many other needs.

As with any other serious illness, a diagnosis of childhood cancer affects more than just the child. There is a significant impact on families, friends, schoolmates, teachers, relatives and those in the health and social service professions who deal with these children on a daily basis. There are very real emotional as well as financial costs. In a comprehensive national survey of parents and paediatric oncology professionals, the following needs were clearly established:

• emotional support
• clear, up-to-date and accurate information on the disease, its treatment and its effects on all family members, ways to cope and enhance the quality of life of those affected
• a strong, single voice of advocacy for children with cancer.

Candlelighters uniquely meets those needs.

How Candlelighters Helps...

• Over 50 strong local support groups accross Canada where parents can share feelings, experiences and information on family life with a child with cancer.
• Encouragement and support for the development of a long-term survivor network.
• Individual and group assistance.
• A national financial assistance programme to be instituted as sufficient funds are raised.
• Candlelighters/ Interlink Nursing program.
• Bursaries for survivors.

• A national Resource Centre established in 1995 with a catalogue of more than 300 books, pamphlets and videos cleared by Candlelighters for relevance and accuracy.
• A national resource library.
• A speakers' bureau.
• Family conferences held biannually
• Surveys of patient/family needs.

• "Contact", a quarterly newsletter of information and letters.

• Communication of the results of patient/family needs surveys to all levels of government.
• Task forces on professional and family issues.
• Collaboration with other organizations in dealing with advocacy issues.

How Candlelighters is Funded...

We are a non-profit organization and our programmes and services are only possible with the support of private and corporate donations and grants.