Financial Assistance
Families of children with cancer experience an immense financial burden. In its' 2003 Annual Report, POGO (the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) reported that the out-of-pocket costs faced by families of children with cancer is estimated to be approximately 1/3 of after tax income. Treatment for cancer in a child can come at a high price for families, as often their quality of life is compromised by the financial and socio- economic impacts that result from a child literally "fighting for their life" while enduring cancer treatment.
Candlelighters provides the following Financial Assistance programs:Patient Amenities
This program provides financial assistance to families in a crisis situation where other funds are not available.Parking Program
All member families are eligible for parking vouchers, once they have been referred into Candlelighters' membership. These vouchers are issued from the Candlelighters office and can be redeemed for either a Frequent User or a Monthly parking pass at the Parking/Security office at the Children's Hospital.Ottawa Senators Alumni Bursary
Candlelighters is very pleased to offer a bursary in the amount of $1,000.00 to a Candlelighters' member (meeting the eligibility criteria) in their academic pursuits of post-secondary education. Application deadlines are March 31st of each year; the applications are available on-line or through the Candlelighters office. Click here for more information and to download an application form.Tori's Helping Hand (www.torishelpinghand.com) is an initial component of Candlelighters' Patient Amenities Program, under the umbrella of Financial Assistance.
Tori's Helping Hand is designed to specifically provide funding and financial assistance to families of children who are in the palliative stages of their cancer.Tori's Helping Hand is named after Tori Carswell who died of a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma in January 2004. Tori's parents, Kim and Paul were very fortunate to have funds raised by our friends, family and the community of Stittsville which enabled them to give Tori some special moments during her last weeks and days with us. This inspired them to set up Tori's Helping Hand so that other palliative care oncology children could do the same. Kim and Paul also host an annual golf tournament in Tori's memory.
Jenna's Memorial Fund (www.jennalang.ca)
Jenna’s Memorial Fund was established by the Lang Family, in honor of their daughter Jenna, who passed away in September 2009 following a courageous and graceful battle with rhabdomyosarcoma. Jenna dreamed of helping other kids who had been diagnosed with cancer and through this fund, we hope to realize Jenna’s dream.Donations made in honour of Jenna through this memorial fund will help families who are experiencing financial distress as a result of their child’s illness. Patient Amenities is a program that helps cover the cost of things like medications not covered by OHIP or insurance, utility bills, groceries, and even rent/mortgage payments. Support of Jenna’s Memorial Fund will go directly to the Patient Amenities Program and will have a real and tangible impact in the lives of families of children with cancer.
