Candlelighters
Family Connections
Newsletter
Spring/Summer 2022
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Dear Candlelighters Families,
As we kick off more in-person summer activities, including our Family Camp, we want to highlight some members in our community who make the heart of Candlelighters. If you see them during one of our family activities, make sure to say hello!
This year, we have 7 honored kids, each representing a team of cyclists who are riding in our annual fundraiser, Ride for A Child. Check out their bios on their Team Pages.
May is brain tumor awareness month, and we want to highlight our Luminaries members who, during the start of Covid, created a video on what helped them get through hard times.
We featured the Santillan family on our website and supporter newsletter. Meet Tatiana who was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor at age 3, and read about their advice on persevering here.
Check out our YouTube videos featuring members in our community and their stories.
Thank you to all who have willingly shared your stories, opened your hearts, and allowed us to feature you on our social media channels and website. Sharing your stories helps our community come together and heal. If you’d like to share your story, please click here.
Know that if you are at the beginning of a journey, facing a transition, wherever you are, you are not alone.
Much love,
Candlelighters
P.S. A note on emails: Sometimes we hear that families miss an RSVP deadline or find out about an event after it happened. Most of the time, our emails are missed because they’re filtered to spam. The best way to make sure you’re not missing any of our events is to check our website periodically or join our private Facebook group for families.
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> Spanish-speaking/Latinx Families
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Are you in need of more support? We are starting a series of parent/caregiver support groups in Spanish. We will first host a meet-up to get to know each other, and we will then host monthly support groups on zoom. Click here to sign up to receive more details. Want to receive our newsletter in Spanish? Click here
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> Are You Currently In Treatment?
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If your child is currently in treatment, make sure to take advantage of our Emergency Financial Assistance Program where you qualify for up to $599 a year to cover any bills. Your assigned Social Worker can help walk you through the EFA process. If you have not been assigned a social worker, please email Ruth.
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Whether you are newly diagnosed, in treatment, post-treatment, bereaved, or at any stage of the pediatric cancer journey, our pediatric cancer community has programs and services that offer additional financial support, activities, and many other forms of support. Check out our list of resources to find out more. |
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Chapter Family Activities |
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Watch the Central Oregon Candlelighters Facebook page for upcoming activities. To get plugged in to the Bend area Candlelighters, email Kimberly.
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June 5
Fishing Day
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
McKenzie River
Professional river guides will take the kids down the McKenzie River, stopping at the best fishing holes so they can reel in some fish! The kids will get to take home any fish they catch. A warm breakfast will be served in the morning before hitting the river, with a barbecue lunch on return. Student/athletes from the University of Oregon and Oregon State will be fishing buddies for the day. Boats are filling up, and this activity is open to MWV families only.
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July 16-17
Corvette Show
Mark your calendars!
On July 16, Candlelighter kids will be viewing and choosing their favorite Corvettes at the Corvette Show, followed by lunch. Candlelighters is the beneficiary of this event, and this is the first show since 2017!
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If you’re in the Portland/Vancouver area, take advantage of Candlelighters OMSI Membership. To get free tickets, check omsi.edu for available dates and times to visit. Then, email Lisa@candlelightersoregon.org with the date, time, number of adults, and number of kiddos under 18. Please request tickets 2 business days in advance.
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Statewide & SW WA Family Opportunities |
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July 10
Picnic on the Farm
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Pearl Street Urban Farm
Sherwood, OR.
Candlelighters bereavement committee is excited to invite you to a summer gathering to honor our children. At Picnic on the Farm, we will gather to have food, create art, and honor our children together. Please join us on July 10th from 10 am- 2 pm at Embrace Compassion’s Pearl Street Urban Farm in Sherwood, OR. Join our private Facebook group for bereaved families for news and ways to connect.
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September 3-5
Family Camp
Camp Harlow
Our beloved Family Camp is back this year! Join other families for connecting and group activities like swimming, ziplines, bumper boats and more. Applications are due May 20.
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> Parent/Caregiver Support Group
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Do you feel like you’re in need of extra support? We will welcome you with open arms. Every month we cover a different topic and anything you’d like to bring into the meeting. Our meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:45PM.
Upcoming group dates are June 1 and July 6.
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The Luminaries
The Luminaries is a supportive social group for youth (aged 13-21) who have been diagnosed with cancer, and for their siblings. Join and get access to our weekly virtual meetups, Discord chat, Minecraft Server (PC-Java edition), and invites to our in-person fun activities.
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Financial Workshop
Learn some life skills as you approach adulthood! KeyBank is offering an educational workshop on strategies for savings and spending. This workshop is open to all Luminaries members and all families who wish to attend.
The workshop is on Friday, May 27th at 4:30 pm on Zoom. Click here to sign up.
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> Candlelighters Facebook Groups
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Community Partner Opportunities |
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> Embrace Compassion Brighter Box Farm Experience
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Located in Sherwood, OR, Embrace Compassion offers a unique Brighter Box farm experience for children in treatment and their siblings. Embrace Compassion is looking forward to May and the opening of the Farm for Guests! Here are the 2022 visit dates for kids and their families: June 4, July 9, August 6, September 10, October 8. Visit the Embrace Compassion website for more information or email Jen@embracecompassion.org.
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Family Activities are always FREE for Candlelighters families.
View our current COVID-19 Safety Measures here.
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