Family Connections
May 2020
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Hi Candlelighters families,
We hope you continue to stay healthy and safe during these uncertain times. We continue to hope that we are closer to seeing a light at the end of this tunnel. In the midst of uncertainty, we are adjusting and innovating to keep the spirit of Candlelighters alive and shining bright.
Some updates:
- The Luminaries, the Candlelighters teen group, is now meeting online! They have put together a video offering some words of encouragement for other kids who are currently in treatment. The video is currently in its editing stages, but to get a sneak peek, click here! Also, if you just need a quick picker upper during this quarantine, you might just find yourself inspired as well.
If you’d like to share your story, thoughts, resources, or ideas of what you’d like to see from Candlelighters, please feel free to email me at
Lisa@candlelightersoregon.org
-Lisa
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>>Candlelighters Families Facebook Group
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Looking for more connection as we enter day 2,345 of staying home? Candlelighters has created a
Facebook group
just for parents! Join and share your thoughts, words of encouragement, pictures, stories, or ask questions to other parents.
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Lately, we've been thinking a lot about the future of summer and camps. In the next few weeks, we will make an announcement about our own
Family Camp.
We thought it would be a good time to share some pictures of a meaningful activity that took place at last year's camp - the Broken Bowl Project...
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Families who attended last year’s family camp created these beautiful bowls, a symbol of strength and unity. The bowls were later auctioned off at our Harvest of Hope Gala to raise money for other families affected by cancer. How did it work?
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Bowls were broken into pieces, symbolizing how life feels when crisis shatters stability. Then, each family painted their piece of the bowl, representing how in dark moments, we are colored by life experiences. Finally, the bowl was put together. The beauty of the re-assembled bowl reminds us that although the brokenness changed us, we find strength by putting our pieces back together.
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Meet Emme (pictured left), and Sierra and Garrett, (pictured below) volunteering at the Hawks Fight Cancer event last February. (If you haven’t checked out a sneak peek of the video where they are giving advice on what got them through treatment,
click here
. They have created an online space to meet and chat during Covid-19. They would like to grow the
Luminaries community!
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If you are a teen currently in treatment or out of treatment, or if you are a teen of a sibling affected by cancer, they would like to hear from you!
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>>Share Your Story: Brain Cancer Awareness Month
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#GoGrayinMay #BrainCancerAwareness
May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
As we made plans to feature our Luminaries leaders this month, we also realized, they are all brain cancer survivors! (Pictured clockwise from top right: Sierra, Garrett and Emme.)
We invite you to share your pictures (wearing grey!) and stories relating to childhood brain cancer
to increase awareness during the month of May. We'll be sharing your pictures and stories through our Facebook and Instagram pages.
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Times are tough and we want to find ways to help our Candlelighters community. We would like to hear back from you.
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What is your greatest concern right now?
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Staying mentally healthy during social distancing
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Candlelighters Emergency Financial Assistance (EFAs)
Did you know about our Emergency Financial Assistance Program? Candlelighters provides Emergency Financial Assistance to families who has a child in active treatment. Eligible families can request for up to $599 per year. Please click
here
for more information on additional eligibility criteria and how to apply.
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Doernbecher Pantry
Are you currently staying on 10 South? We have a pantry in the kitchen area with free food, snacks and drinks. Ask the nurse for the key!
Other Resources
Food
For food pantries in your local area
Comprehensive lists of resources
Information about food pantries, shelters, utility assistance programs, information in Spanish, ideas on entertainment, etc.
Crisis resources
If you or a loved one are in crisis, you can access support through these links and phone numbers:
- National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-8255
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Candlelighters Scholarship Update
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10 childhood cancer survivor students from Oregon and SW Washington have applied for this year’s scholarship. Each of them are planning to attend colleges and universities in Oregon and in other states, with majors in Biology, Nursing, Business Administration, Physical Therapy and Psychology/Sociology.
Three students will be awarded scholarships of $500; $1,000 and $2,500. Thank you to four volunteers who have taken the important role of reviewing these essays and transcripts. Each of the volunteers are passionate about helping these young men and women have the opportunities to succeed, after experiencing such a challenging diagnosis and treatment. The review is taking place through April and May. Stay tuned, decisions will be announced in June.
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Fundraising Campaign Update
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You might know that because we had to cancel our Cancer Warrior Breakfast on April 23, we held on online peer to peer fundraising campaign instead.
Truthfully, we didn't know what to expect when we launched this online campaign and we are thrilled to share that the generosity of our supporters has surpassed all expectations, and we exceeded our fundraising goal. This means are in a good position to keep programs going and EFA funded!
Thank you to those who shared the campaign and fundraised, and to the
Terriquez family
, for sharing their story in this
beautiful video.
We want to give a special shoutout to Candlelighters mom,
Kristina Waggoner
for setting up a fundraising page, and raising over $435!
Kristina's son, Garrett is a childhood cancer survivor and active in our teen group,
the Luminaries
. He's also the subject of a new
Teen Spotlight
on our website! Check out
Garrett's story
, where his mom explains why she decided to fundraise for Candlelighters.
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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.
If you have any questions, please contact
Lisa Chavez
.
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