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Candlelighters Families
Newsletter
August 2021
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> A Note From Sarah, Our New Executive Director
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Dear Candlelighters Families,
I am honored and excited to be named the new Executive Director of Candlelighters. Stepping into this role is deeply meaningful to me on both a personal and professional level. As a 19-year pediatric cancer survivor (during treatment, right photo), I understand firsthand what the words “you have cancer” means, and the impact that life-changing moment has on a child and their family.
As I begin my new role as Executive Director, I am humbled and grateful to work for an organization as compassionate, mission-driven, and impactful as Candlelighters. I look forward to getting to know you and walking alongside you as we continue to grow community, hope, and light through our programs and resources.
Sincerely,
Sarah Breece
(Above, with husband Brett, and dogs Ackley and Ziva)
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There is still time to sign up for our virtual Camp Outside the Box taking place on August 29th.
What is Camp Outside the Box?
A quest to complete a list of challenges which you will capture through photos or videos (and share with your fellow Candlelighters families through an interactive app!). We had a blast playing Camp Outside the Box last summer, and we are excited to offer it again this year.
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> Ride For A Child - Sign Up the Family!
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We are thrilled to invite you to sign up for Ride For A Child 2021, and introduce this year's Honored Children. Ride for a child is Candlelighters biggest event of the year, and EVERYONE is invited to join! Bring your cruiser, mountain bike, big wheels, training wheels, two-wheeler, tandem - you get the idea - this is fun for the whole family!
Set Your Own Goals, Ride Your Own Pace
With options for all levels of riders, there's no reason not to join in!
- Ride outdoors or indoors, fast or slow, 3 miles or 300 miles
- Sign up your family, sign up with friends, or make riding your "me time"
- Sign up to support an Honored Child team, or fundraise on your own
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The 6th annual Clean and Sober Motorcycle Club’s fundraiser
A free barbecue is served and a raffle with some great goodies. The clubs will have their motorcycles on display and there will be free rides in a side car. Members will compete in best beard and tattoo contests too! In all, it is a fun afternoon and All proceeds go to MWV Candlelighters, supporting our events for the year.
When September 12th beginning at noon
Where Boy Scouts at 2525 Martin Luther King Blvd, Eugene
Stay Tuned...
For more information on a horseback riding event in September.
Contact MWV Chapter Chairs Mary Lou and Robyn for more information on Chapter Activities.
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> Bereavement - Picnic on the Farm
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We had a beautiful day for Picnic on the Farm, a time for bereaved families to gather and honor their children. Memory rocks and stepping stones were created, games were played, the chickens, goats, alpacas and pigs gave us some comic relief and cuddles, and most importantly, families shared memories of their kids. Thank you to Embrace Compassion for opening your beautiful space for this special gathering.
If you want to connect with other bereaved families, join our Bereaved Families Facebook Group, and follow us on social media for future news and events. Our next event will be Time of Remembrance in the Winter. Learn more about Bereavement Events on our website.
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Our group is growing! Welcome, Dario, Aidyn, and Joey to the Luminaries!
If you’re aged 13-21 and want to connect with others who understand cancer, this group is for you. We meet weekly on Zoom on Thursdays at 4:30 pm to chat and play games and are planning small outdoor gatherings every few months.
Interested in joining our group?
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> Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
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Awareness starts with us. In preparation for September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we're collecting stories to share about childhood cancer to spread awareness, hope and connection. Will you help? It just takes a few minutes to fill out our new form, and it could make a huge difference to a family - a family like yours.
Fill out the form here, or send your stories or questions to Angela
Also, watch for more ways to spread awareness with us, coming soon.
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> 2021/2022 Candlelighters Scholarship Recipients
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Congratulations to our three Scholarship Recipients for the 2021-2022 Academic Year, Erin Morrison, Cameron Caldwell, and Anna Seely, all childhood cancer survivors with big dreams. Each recipient’s past experience as a childhood cancer survivor helped shape their lives, values and goals in unique ways.
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> Portland - Save the Date for a Harvest Pumpkin Patch Festival
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Whether you are in treatment, post-treatment, or if you are bereaved, you are welcome to join us at Lee Farms in Tualatin on Saturday, September 25th for their Harvest Pumpkin Patch Festival. More details are to come soon, and space may be limited. Priority will be given to first-time attending Candlelighters families. |
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> Community Partner Opportunities
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Embrace Compassion Opportunities
Hosts visits to Pearl Street Urban Farm in Sherwood, OR. Families through all walks of the cancer journey are encouraged to join: families in treatment, beyond treatment, and in bereavement.
Brighter Box Farm Experience
Pearl Street Urban Farm offers planned monthly visits for kids (aged 1-18) in active treatment and their families to feed the animals, harvest chicken eggs, seasonal vegetables, and fruits. Kids will leave with a take-home Brighter Box connected to what they are harvesting, with reading materials, stickers, a small gift for the family, and a recipe with the ingredients to making something from the farm. Register
Volunteer Farmhands
Families beyond treatment or in bereavement are welcome to come volunteer and learn from urban farmers and mentors. Working together on garden tasks, our farmhands will engage in conversation, laughter, and learning. Most of the time, each family will be on-site at one time, maintaining familial pods. Register
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Pile of Puppies
Pile of Puppies is a nonprofit that creates “Joy Experiences” by surrounding chronically and terminally ill children with a pile of puppies. They are are interviewing families in August for their waitlist, so they can call you as soon as puppies are available. To learn if you qualify, and to find out more, go to www.pileofpuppies.org and click in the menu “get in touch” and fill out the “family” form.
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> Candlelighters Facebook Groups
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Do you have any questions or suggestions that could benefit other parents? Or any tips and tricks about navigating the hospital system? We welcome you to share your wealth of information there.
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Meeting and getting to know other families experiencing grief offers strength and courage as well as community knowing they’re not alone.
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Candlelighters Family Connections
Family Activities are always FREE for Candlelighters families, and you are always welcome to join other Chapter activities as well.
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