Support Services
For most people, a diagnosis of cancer is an overwhelming experience, intensified when a child is involved. Fear of dying, worrying about medical treatment, concern over role changes at home or at work, can make people feel isolated and alone at a critical time.
Realizing that others have experienced similar reactions and fears, reassures those involved that their own reactions are normal. Exposure to several viewpoints and shared experiences helps individuals find a way of managing their own fears as well as dealing with those of friends and family. Learning positive coping methods and regaining a sense of control gives those affected a more positive outlook toward life and a sense of well-being and hope.
Candlelighters’ coordinates the activities of the following support services:
Coffee Talk weekly drop-in
Wednesday mornings in the Sens Den on 4 North, parents and caregivers are welcome to join in an informal chat with other parents dealing with similar circumstances while enjoying coffee and snacks. These meetings are facilitated by Child Life, Social Work staff and the InterLink Nurses on a rotating basis.Workshops/Seminars/Guest Speakers
This initiative brings in health care professionals or others from the childhood cancer community to make presentations or speak with our families. Smiling Siblings Watercolour Workshop is a monthly outing offered to siblings of childhood cancer patients. Click here for more information on Smiling SiblingsBereaved parents support group
This is an 8 - 12 week program which is professionally facilitated. This program, offered once a year, is for parents whose children have not survived a diagnosis of cancer.Resource materials
Candlelighters’ provides families with diagnosis specific resources including books and videos as well as binders to keep a systematic reference to medical information when received. These books include, but are not limited to: Childhood Leukemia, Childhood Cancer Parent’s Guide to Solid Tumors, Childhood Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors, Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Childhood Cancer Survivor, Coping with Childhood Cancer, Des enfants comme les autres, Autologous Stem Cell Transplants, The Official Parentís Sourcebook on Childhood Hodgkin’s Disease, Bone Marrow & Blood Stem Cell
Candlelighters’ also engages in a number of Family Initiatives, which include:
Annual Christmas Party
Each year, Candlelighters hosts a holiday gathering for our member families in a festive atmosphere offering a myriad of fun-filled activities. This has been a highlight for many families over the years, and will be open only to those families who are Candlelighters members.Family Membership
Families of children with cancer usually become Candlelighters Members shortly after diagnosis. Families are asked to join Candlelighters and sign a release of information form. In order to maintain your membership, Candlelighters mails our annual membership renewal forms to families in the fall of each year. Families must complete the forms and they must be received in the office for processing. Only Candlelighters’ member families are eligible for our programs and services, so it is very important that you return your membership form each year.Ottawa Senators Alumni Suite Seats
The Ottawa Senators Alumni generously provide Candlelighters with tickets to TEN of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club home games; welcoming us into the exclusive Ottawa Senators/Molson Alumni Suite.Birthday Greetings
Birthday greetings from Candlelighters sent to your child recognizing their special day!Candlelighters’ Courage Beads
Candlelighters Courage Beads are designed to document, honour and recount the journey that each child takes by providing an array of beads; each representing some facet of treatment.Tree of Life Memorial Ceremony
A bi-annual, non denominational ceremony for families of children who have succumbed to their illness. A beautiful wall hanging is present on the in-patient ward at the Children’s Hospital to recognize these youngsters.
