Issuu

That 1 Families Shine Anniversary 2 40th Spotlight Warrior Breakfast 3 Cancer and Camp Agape

For 4 Ride A Child 5 Upcoming Activities Spotlight: 6 Community Sponsor, Partner, Volunteer

from and Southern 7 DIYOregonSpotlight Executive Director Regional Highlights 10 Message Member Metro 8 Portland 10 Board Spotlight Regional Highlights Candlelighters Calendar Oregon and Mid9 Central Willamette Regional Highlights 11 of Events

CandlelightersConnections SPRING 2017

Family That Shines: Mosqueda-Terriquez Family

The Mosqueda-Terriquez Family: Karina, Natalie, Everado, Desiree, Claudia, Xavier and Mia.

Five

year old Xavier is full of spunk, fight, and love. He’s a young boy who loves camping, the beach, Lightning McQueen, dogs, and dreams of being a fireman when he grows up. Mom, Claudia describes him as a “loving outspoken little guy.” There is not much that keeps him down, and Xavier makes anyone smile who walks into a room with him. Xavier’s family: mom and dad, Claudia and Everado, and sisters, Mia, Natalie, Karina, and Desiree, have been through all of

the ups and downs that come with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. In October 2015, Xavier was diagnosed with Stage IV Wilms Tumor and lost his left kidney to the disease. Good news came in April 2016, when they found out Xavier was in remission. However, in September 2016, they would once again gear up to fight when they found out his cancer had traveled, and they were up against a Stage IV Wilms Tumor in Xavier’s lung. And that is what this family will continue to do – fight. Xavier’s

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer publishes CandlelightersConnections four times a year to provide news and other information to our childhood cancer community in Oregon and SW Washington.

scans currently show improvement. We will continue to be hopeful for a battle that is won. This has not been an easy journey for the family, especially their many hospitals stays. “Being in the hospital is hard. Dad spends the nights, I do the days, so we switch on and off and it takes a toll economically and mentally seeing your child in pain and wanting to go home and be with his siblings,” says Mom. This family chooses to see the good in all of it, and has said that it has brought them closer together as a family. “It is because of strength and positivity, that we know they can get through this together.” At Candlelighters, we have been lucky enough to have the Mosqueda-Terriquez family be an incredible part of our community. From bowling to Family Camp, we have loved having them be part of our story and connecting them to others who can share in their journey with them. Claudia says “We want to thank Candlelighters for being there to help so many families, and the

donors that make all of these things possible for the kids. Thanks to all of the other families who share their stories. We are thrilled to be a part of this Candlelighters Family.” We are equally as thrilled to know and love them and will be there to support them through it all!

Xavier getting ready to knock ‘em down at Family Bowling Night.

Our Mission:

To provide a community of healing, hope, and light throughout the life-long journey of childhood cancer. We advocate, we educate, we build partnerships, and we foster solidarity for all families experiencing cancer.

40th Anniversary Spotlight

LIG H T E R

S FO

2017 ER

1977

YE A R S

Hill recalls working out of her home and paying for things out of her own pocket and just having enough to help families with hero badges and toys for kids. Today, Candlelighters is a statewide organization with offices in Portland and volunteer-led chapters in Central Oregon, Mid-Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon.

he goal was to help families who felt they had nowhere to turn or to talk to when their child was diagnosed. “When my daughter was in the hospital, it was other families who were in similar situations that gave me good advice and strength to handle the ups and downs. When my daughter got better, it was my turn to help other families who were in crisis.” Hill’s daughter is well and enjoying a full life and for that she was thankful to be part of the start of an organization that has touched more than 80,000 family members. Even more amazing is that when the organization was founded and through the 10 years she helped lead the nonprofit, there was little expectation of it being around beyond the immediate future. “I wore the President, Secretary and Treasurer hat many times along with the other four families. I had no idea that this organization would change and grow and still be around years later.”

40 years ago, Joan Patterson, now Joan Hill, joined with four other families to form a nonprofit called Candlelighters For Children With Cancer.

W I TH

40 YEARS OF PROVIDING A COMMUNITY OF HEALING, HOPE AND LIGHT FOR 80,000 FAMILY MEMBERS

In fact: Candlelighters has given over $1,000,000 to families in Emergency Financial Assistance since 1977. We have given nearly 5,000 family members an experience of a lifetime at the annual Candlelighters Family Camp. We have served thousands of families hot-catered meals in the hospital so they can stay with their children who are undergoing treatment. We have improved quality of life for families through our monthly family activities that serve nearly 2,000 family members annually. These families report that Candlelighters supportive care programs help lesson feelings of isolation and help them cope with the childhood cancer diagnosis. Though Hill will attest that Candlelighters was her lifeline while her daughter was ill, she says, “It was always my hope that a cure would put this organization out of business, but until that happens, I am so proud that a little nonprofit that was founded to help a few families in the 70s continues to provide a community of hope for families battling pediatric cancer today.”

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer

News Cancer Warrior Breakfast

The Oregon Zoo • Cascade Crest Ballroom • 4001 SW Canyon Road • Portland, OR 97221 April 6, 2017 • 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Camp Agape Save The Date for Camp Agape 2017!

August 5th – 10th CANCER WARRIOR BREAKFAST

Celebrate Candlelighters For Children With Cancer’s 40th Anniversary. Learn about our programs and services which directly support the entire family at the inaugural Cancer Warrior Breakfast.

Coffee service and fresh pastries will be served from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.; A full breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. Register online for individual seats or bring your colleagues and host a table. Information at www. CandlelightersOregon.org or call 503.719.4244 to save your seat. RSVP deadline is April 3, 2017.

Candlelighters is hosting its first ever no-cost breakfast and inviting community leaders to learn more about our mission to serve the WHOLE family when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Join us on Thursday, April 6, 2017; 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to learn more about the supportive care programs Candlelighters provides to families fighting pediatric cancer in Oregon and SW Washington. Our programs and services help as many as 2,000 family members annually from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Matching Grant: Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund has generously offered to match up to $10,000 for donations made at our inaugural Cancer Warrior Breakfast.

Program: Candlelighters Board Leader and Pediatrician Faith Galderisi, D.O. will share how supportive care programs improve quality of life for all family members.

Celebrating our 22-year anniversary with Camp Agape! Candlelighters For Children With Cancer partners with The Philoptochos Society who puts on Camp Agape every year. They open up their camp to Candlelighters families free of charge for a week-long camp experience that is truly magical! Camp Agape gives Candlelighters families the experience of home-cooked meals, fun activities, pampering, and fellowship without the stress of everyday life. We are thrilled and honored to work with such an amazing and giving group.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!

Callahan Law Office, PC

Candlelighters Board Leader and parent Brian Maher will explain how the organization made a difference during his family’s journey and share why he’s giving back. Morning Meteorologist Sally Showman will emcee our first-ever Cancer Warrior Breakfast. Her gift of time and talent drive awareness of Candlelighters mission to support the WHOLE family.

www.candlelightersoregon.org

Website: campagapepdx.com

2017 Ride For A Child An Excerpt from Dick Hartung, founder of Ride For A Child in 2003:

RFAC: A Snapshot

hat began as one man’s mission to give back to an organization that helped his family when his daughter lost her battle with cancer in 2002 is today one of Candlelighters biggest fundraisers, Ride For A Child (RFAC). The RFAC team is an extraordinary group of people from Oregon, Washington, and across the country who spend at least four months training for the physical rigors of the 430+ mile event known as Cycle Oregon. More importantly, every member of the team commits to raising a minimum of $1,000 for Candlelighters supportive care programs. Candlelighters connects the team members with children who have recently undergone cancer treatment with activities, events and correspondence throughout the summer. In many cases, a life-long bond is formed between the cyclist and the family through this experience. One of the favorite events is the Ride Out: where children

Thank you to our 2016 Sponsors!

“Just as our day started with zero percent chance of rain, virtually all families are blindsided with their child’s cancer diagnosis. Some

and cyclists ride their bikes a short distance together on the Cycle Oregon route followed by a celebration of the bravery for these children and their families in battling childhood cancer. This year’s 30th anniversary Cycle Oregon ride is scheduled for September 9-16, 2017 and showcases the rugged, magnificent midsection of the state, traveling into the noble Cascade Range, cruising alongside wild, scenic rivers, and skirting the rim of the mesmerizing, deep, blue waters of Crater Lake. Candlelighters cyclists enjoy the benefits of group training rides, tent and porter services during the ride, access to the Candlelighters hospitality tent, on-site massage therapists, a cell-phone charging station, an exclusive Castelli RFAC jersey, and the camaraderie created by bringing people together for a common cause.

are well equipped with extended family and

For more information on RFAC or to sponsor a rider, visit www.candlelightersoregon.org or email candlelightersrfac@gmail.com.

hug. What an awesome feeling to know that a

financial resources to help them through, and others have very little in the way of emotional and financial resources. For some, no matter how strong, the battle joined does not end as planned. And for others, weakened and battered throughout the long journey, riding into the night, they somehow make it through. But oh the fires!!! We all need that place of refuge. A comforting fire that warms our soul, recharges our battery, and motivates us to fight another hour. A fire started by a complete stranger who we may never know. That is who we are as Candlelighters family, friends and supporters. In a time of dire need, we are there to start the fires, warm the heart, and give a comforting child’s life will be better for the financial and personal resources we share.”

Clackamas County Peace Officers’ Benevolent Foundation Collier Arbor Care Harris WorkSystems

We are now excepting 2017 sponsors.

Overhead Door Company Of Portland Weston Dealerships

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer

MARLKENDAR CA YOUR

Saturday July 8, 2017 Cook Park, Tigard 7:30 am

Registration/On-site Packet Pick-Up

Musicians for the cure Sonny Hess was a local blues celebrity, just happy to be playing music, working hard, and enjoying a full life with friends, family, and partner, Jamie. Then came a breast cancer diagnosis and a house fire, leaving Sonny and Jamie with few possessions and fewer resources. The music community rallied with fundraisers and donations to help Sonny and Jamie while cancer support groups provided needed resources and comfort. Realizing how profoundly this experience changed her life and wanting to bring the same comfort, Sonny established Musicians For the Cure in 2006, producing benefit concerts for cancer patients and in Sonny’s own words, “Playing It Forward.” We wanted to help kids with cancer so we went searching for a small, local organization that helped families going thru

Upcoming Schedule: • April 1: Womens Blues and More @Vinyl Tap Bar & Grill, Milwaukie, OR 8pm • July 2017: Waterfront Blues Festival – Date TBD • December 7 & December 10: NW Women Rhythm and Blues Christmas Shows

www.candlelightersoregon.org

cancer and that’s how we found Candlelighters. We’ve been producing concerts to benefit Candlelighters since 2009. “The Candlelighters staff and families are great people and their true determination to help people is obvious. It feels really good knowing that our contributions have touched someone, given a family hope and security, and helped a child feel better for another day.” 2017 will be our 19th year producing the NW Women Rhythm and Blues Christmas Show that benefits Candlelighters. The show was a sold out bar show for many years at the Trails End Saloon. In recent years, we’ve expanded to one show with a full dinner and auction in a larger venue and still maintained the bar show. We have been selling out every year. Sonny always tries to bring in a surprise guest like last year BB King’s daughter, Claudette King joined the show from Atlanta. It was amazing!

8:30 am

5k Run/Walk 9:30 am

One mile "Superhero-In-Training" timed kids run 10:00 am

Costume Contest & Awards Create a Team • Fundraise for Candlelighters Prizes, Awards, and lots of FUN! • Get Fit • Outdoor Fun • FREE Candlelighters Family Registration For more info, contact Jennifer at 503-719-4244 or jennifer@candlelightersoregon.org

GOLF TO GIVE CHALLENGE August 18th, 2017 Stone Creek Golf Club, Oregon City Sign in starts at 12. The Golf to Give Challenge is an all inclusive 4-person scramble tournament benefits Candlelighters For Children With Cancer. Entry includes a welcome bag, light snack, 18 holes with cart, prizes, and a BBQ dinner at the conclusion, and also features a $10,000 hole in one prize, Taylor Made golf equip, and more. Participation is open to anyone and everyone! This is not about being the best golfer, it is about having a great time while raising money for a very worthy cause.

Not a golfer? Donations are excepted, both monetary and in-kind gifts for the tournament. Sponsorship opportunities are available too.

Please visit www.golftogive.com to learn more.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Farmers Insurance Since 2012, Candlelighters has been lucky to call Farmers Insurance a partner. After one of their employees had gone through treatment with her son, and received support from Candlelighters, she presented the idea of partnering with us to their organization. Brandie Hamad, led the charge to get Farmers behind Candlelighters, and we are so grateful for her endless support. Brandie says, “When my son

was going through treatment, Candlelighters was there to provide a break from hospital food as well as bringing around a cart with snacks for a kid who wouldn’t eat anything but sour candy. There were multiple events at the hospital to take our minds off his treatment and Candlelighters was so great to our family. When I talked about the organization, immediately everyone was on board and wanted to

see how we could help.” Since then, Candlelighters has received financial backing, volunteers, stuffed animals to take to the hospital, help for families during Christmas, and program support all from the amazing staff members at Farmers. We are thrilled to have worked so closely with the wonderful people from Farmers Insurance, and are thankful for the impact they have made for our families.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Cosmos Creations Little bags of salted caramel and coconut puffed corn have been bringing smiles to kid’s faces at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital on the Candlelighters Snack Cart throughout 2016. Siblings, parents, doctors and nurses really love

Cosmos Creations too! A huge thank you to Cosmos Creations for donating snacks for the cart and bringing joy to over 100 people every week as part of our program. Bags of Cosmos Creation puffed corn were also featured at our

SUPERHERO 5k Run/Walk and at Candlelighters Family Camp in 2016. Candlelighters For Children With Cancer is grateful for their support of our programs and services and the delicious goodness (and resulting smiles) of their puffed corn snacks. Visit their website at www.cosmoscreations.com for a listing of all their products and store locations.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Angela Willner Angela Willner has a huge heart for others. Over the past two and a half years, Angela has volunteered countless hours helping with events, programs, and making community connections to help Candlelighters

extend its reach to so many. When asked what drew her to volunteer with Candlelighters, Angela said: “I volunteer because I love connecting with people and being a part of a community. I love the Candlelighters families. There is so much love, heart, passion, and strength in the Candlelighters community, and I am so lucky to be a small part of it.” At Candlelighters, we feel we are the lucky ones to have her be such a great part of everything we do. From serving meals at the hospital to organizing

and getting her real estate group on board to make Christmas possible for our families, she has been there through it all. It takes a village to make what we do possible, and we cannot thank Angela enough for offering her time, support, and love to our organization.

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer

D.I.Y. FUNDRAISER SPOTLIGHT: Premiere Property Group Thank you Premiere Property Group for your amazing $17,000 gift that will touch countless families battling pediatric cancer! Premiere Property Group (PPG) is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the Portland area and because their agents demand that their company support local families, PPG created a Circle of Giving. Every quarter they select a nonprofit partner and a portion of the agents’ commissions are dedicated to supporting a local nonprofit mission. “Premiere Property Group, LLC supported and donated over $12,000 dollars in a 3-hour window to charitable donations as part of our broker holiday party tonight to benefit Candlelighters, a “cancer charity for kids & their families “ to

help families in need. I couldn’t be more proud and blessed to be associated with people who are giving and willing to donate for the sake of others. This company is blessed beyond measure

nearing 700 brokers due to its tenacity to give back to others.” says one PPG Realtor. PPG’s DIY auction raised $12,000 and real estate agents opted to donate a portion of their commission to the tune of $5,000 helping propel total contributions to $17,000 that will help our families in 2017. We thank the Circle of Giving Committee for supporting the work of Candlelighters and hope that we can work together again! If you want to start your own DIY Fundraiser for Candlelighters, it’s easy! Use your passion to raise funds through creating an event, special occasion, or to honor a loved one. We offer advice and support to our DIY Fundraisers, contact Candlelighters to learn more.

SOUTHERN OREGON Ruth Staten Thank You!

To RSVP for events in the Southern Oregon Chapter, please contact: Southern Oregon Chair – Kimberly Bruhn 541.292.3058 Kimberlybruhn@hotmail.com

her very busy job with the Assessor’s Office in Jackson County. We cannot thank Ruth enough for all her hard work, determination and great fundraising for Southern Oregon’s children with cancer!

Welcome Kimberly Ruth Staten has been the Chapter Chair for the Southern Oregon Candlelighters Chapter since 2011. Ruth became involved in 2008 when her daughter Chloe was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. Chloe and her older brother, Hunter, have been an amazing team of helpers for our local events. We will still see Ruth at a lot of our events but she is taking a bit of time off to concentrate on

Welcome Kimberly Bruhn who is Southern Oregon’s new Chapter Chair. Her family has been involved in Candlelighters since their son, Michael, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008.

www.candlelightersoregon.org

Rogue Snowmobile Recap: Lifting up thanks to our great Rogue Snowmobiler family … the Pie Auction held on Feb. 7 raised more than $9,000! Thanks also to D&S Harley for hosting this event every year. We also shared pizza and salad before the auction at Angelo’s Pizza in Phoenix, OR. A great group

Please provide the following information: • Parent/Guardian’s first and last name (please spell last name if leaving a phone message) • Name, age, and gender of each child attending from your immediate family • Contact number in case we need to reach you

attended, including these parents and their children: Courtney and Clarence Todd, Eric and Kimberly Bruhn, Christine Ramirez, Denise Cheek, Ruth Staten, David and Sky Walker and volunteer couple, Makayla and Travis Goins.

PORTLAND METRO The end of 2016 was filled with snowy winter weather and joyous times! ZooLights Our December Family Activity was ZooLights, and we had over 100 Candlelighters attend. It was a magical night filled with light, laughter and love. Although it was VERY cold, it was still a fun time! Thank you to all of the families who showed up to be a part of the event!

Kruse Way Rotary Holiday Party We kicked off the holidays with the Kruse Way Rotary 29th Annual Holiday Party!

Time of Remembrance

We thank everyone who came to celebrate at our annual Time of Remembrance. Bereavement can be very difficult during the holidays and Time of Remembrance gives our families a positive and supportive space to celebrate their loved ones. Bereaved families will always have a home and a community with Candlelighters For Children With Cancer.

Candy Cane Lane

Thank you to everyone who made Candy Cane Lane 2016 a success! Although weather caused a few hiccups, it certainly didn’t stop the magic of the holidays being spread to our families by our

Candlelighters families met with Santa, opened presents, enjoyed dancing, received face

incredible donors. Our donors spent hours shopping, wrapping, and delivering gifts which allowed over 120 kiddos to receive Christmas presents, and we could not be more thrilled and grateful.

To RSVP for events in the Portland Metro, please contact: Program Director– Karsen O’Bryan 503.719.4244 ext. 3 Karsen@candlelightersoregon.org Please provide the following information: • Parent/Guardian’s first and last name (spell last name if leaving a phone message) • Name, and age of each child attending from your immediate family • Contact number in case we need to reach you

painting and temporary tattoos, made crafts, played with balloon animals, bounced in the Bouncy House, pet some lovable reptiles and so much more!

To all of our secret Santa’s and our amazing families, we are sending big smiles and warm hugs your way. This is always a very special ending to the year!

Snowmobile Day Kicking off 2017, Snowmobile Day was a huge success thanks to the Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club. Our families had a wonderful day of playing in the snow,

going for snowmobile rides, and filling their bellies with yummy treats. The sunshine was out, and smiles and laughter were abundant. Thank you to all of

the families that were a part of this day, and to the MHSC for giving our families a day full of unforgettable memories!

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer

To RSVP for events in the Central Oregon Chapter, please contact: Central Oregon Chair – Darcy Davis 541.419.6426 CentralOregonCandlelighters@ gmail.com

CENTRAL OREGON

Civil War Fishing Central Oregon Candlelighters Families gathered for a very special fishing competition, the Ducks fans vs. the Beaver fans! Families spent the weekend together at

Thank You Angie! We want to give a sincere thank you to our Chapter Chair Angie Jeppsen

the Kokanee Lodge at Shelter Cove Resort fishing, playing games, sharing meals, opening presents, and so much more. A special thank you to our boat captains and deck hands, our 37 donors and sponsors who made this trip possible, and

our fishing trip organizers, Don and Dorene Foster! Want to attend in 2017? Mark your calendars now! Arrive on Friday afternoon Sept. 29th around 3:00pm and leave Sunday morning Oct. 1st.

who stepped down at the end of 2016. Angie served as a fulltime volunteer with us for 8 years. “I am so honored and blessed to have been impacted by your beautiful faces and hearts. I am so grateful for my time with you” says Angie who still plans to volunteer often.

Welcome Darcy Welcome Darcy Davis who is taking over the Chapter Chair position. Darcy is a Candlelighters Parent and wants to do her part to give back. Darcy is looking for Central Oregon volunteers and business leaders to help her take over the region.

MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY Amazing day in the snow! We went through all types of snow.... light flakes, lots of flakes, a blowing whiteout and no falling snow.... and we had a blast no matter what the snow was doing. :-) Our expert bus driver got us up the mountain without having to chain up, so that gave us lots of time in the snow. While getting our orientation on the bus, I was reminded this was our 12th year for this trip... wow!

There were so many activities, kids and adults were on the go all day! There were the snowmobiles, of course, the sledding hill, x-country skiing (with experts to help us), the very popular dog sleds (we had 2 teams that have participated in the Alaskan Iditarod), and a big fire burning all day for s’mores. It was hard to know where to go first! At noon, we went across

www.candlelightersoregon.org

the road to an amazing hot lunch at the fire station. While we were eating, Big Foot paid us a visit :-) It was simply a perfect day and it is all because of those people in the orange vests who have worked for months putting this event together for us. Walker Rim Riders is the host snowmobile club and their members work so hard to make this a day we won’t ever forget.

Please provide the following information: • Parent/Guardian’s first and last name (please spell last name if leaving a phone message) • Name, age, and gender of each child who will be attending from your immediate family • Contact number in case we need to reach you

Thank you Darcy for volunteering. Our families are so lucky to have you!

To RSVP for events in the Mid-Willamette Valley, please contact: Mid-Willamette Valley Co-Chairs – Mary Lou Bradley: 541.687.0697 email: mloubradley@comcast.net or Robyn Thompson: 541.343.4528 email: adome45@q.com www.facebook.com/candlelighters. midwillamettevalley Please provide the following information: • Parent/Guardian’s first and last name (please spell last name if leaving a phone message) • Name, age, and gender of each child who will be attending from your immediate family • Contact number in case we need to reach you

Message from the Executive Director: Dear Families, Friends and Supporters,

•

We redesigned our website, so that it’s easier to navigate, and it adjusts to the size of any device. • We have added an event that is more educational so that community leaders can come to learn more about our amazing organization and support the mission of building a community of healing. When I look back to nearly a year ago when I was asked to help lead this amazing organization through it’s 40th anniversary, I knew that the role would require a commitment to families to ensure they had support through a journey that is anything but easy. I am thankful every day that I said, “Yes!”

40 years ago, five families got together and created Candlelighters For Children With Cancer so all families who were affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis could have a community of support. From that day forward, the organization has fulfilled that mission without fanfare and provided services to 80,000 family members in Oregon and SW Washington. The realization that Candlelighters impacts people deeply, hit home for me when I had the opportunity to meet one of the founders of this organization. Her story on page two shows that it was the need for those families caring for a child with cancer to have a community that they could rely on. Her powerful story still resonates with families we work with today. It’s our goal of providing

families supportive care throughout the journey that keeps many families involved long after the need for direct assistance. Case in point: We have three chapters in the state serving families in their region and each of them have been touched directly by childhood cancer. Two of our Chapter Chairs are new in the role: We welcome Kimberly Bruhn in Southern Oregon and Darcy Davis in Central Oregon. We are sad to say so long to our former chairs: Ruth Staten in Southern Oregon and Angie Jeppsen in Central Oregon for providing years of service to hundreds of families. We are so appreciative of the passion each of you gives to the role and to

our families. Mary Lou Bradley and Robyn Thompson in MidWillamette Valley are the longestserving Candlelighters Chapter Chairs. Their leadership in that region continues to be the lifeline for many families who are currently living the childhood cancer journey. While we celebrate our beginnings, we want to highlight some of the changes that will help us better serve our community: With warmest regards and gratitude, • We redesigned our newsletter so that readers can better understand why the organizaJackie Groah tion exists and what we do that Executive Director is so meaningful for families, supporters, donors, sponsors and funders.

Board Profile – Carol Crooke In some capacity, I have taken care of cancer patients my entire career starting as a student nurse. Early on in my career, while young and raising my three boys, the emotional difficulty working with children and their families dealing with cancer led me to take care of adults only. I have always enjoyed the different

facets of cancer patients and continue to be inspired by their “Love of life.” I found my niche in cancer research and currently work for a large pharmaceutical company in operations, in part being the patient advocate. Around 10 years ago I got on a bike for exercise and never looked back. Now that my boys are grown and all living on their own, it was a good time to give back to children (and their families). I ride my bike year-round and participate in Ride For

A Child benefitting Candlelighters. Participating in Ride For A Child that benefits Candlelighters was instrumental in me wanting to join the Candlelighters’ Board of Directors, to personally see how the RFAC donations benefit the children and their families by providing programs and services, that I didn’t know existed, clearly making their journey a bit easier is impactful. I want to foster that support and assist in continuing a sustainable future for Candlelighters.

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR PORTLAND METRO & SW WASHINGTON

For more information on these events, make sure to check our website: www.candlelightersoregon.org

March 14 Mom’s Night Out 6:30pm Red Robin 1221 Executive Pkwy Eugene, OR 97401

CENTRAL OREGON

SOUTHERN OREGON

March 7 Lunch at Randall Children’s Hospital 11:30am – 1:00pm (Inpatient & Clinic Families)

April 15 Art Camp Day Gilchrist Art Camp 7701 SW Nimbus Ave Beaverton, OR 97008 Group 1: 10:00am – 11:30am Group 2: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

March 15 Dinner at Doernbecher 6:00pm – 7:30pm (Inpatient Families) Playroom 10S

April 19 Dinner at Doernbecher 6:00pm – 7:30pm (Inpatient Families) Playroom 10S

April 8 Easter Egg Hunt 1:00pm Camp Harlow 3850 Country Farm Rd Eugene, OR 97408

March 18 Family Movie Day - Moana 11:30am – 1:30pm Westside: A Jesus Church 10500 SW Nimbus Ave, Building T Portland, OR 97223

April 22 Bereavement – Picnic in the Park 11:00am – 1:30pm North Clackamas Park 150 Beavercreek Rd Oregon City, OR 97045

April 12 Mom’s Night Out 6:30pm Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant 24965 OR-126 Veneta, OR 97487

April 5 Dinner at Doernbecher 6:00pm – 7:30pm (Inpatient Families) Playroom 10S

May 6 Teen Activity – Portland Escape Rooms & Pizza 11:30 am – 2:00 pm Meet at Pizzacato at 11:30 am 10719 SW Beaverton Hillsdale HWY Beaverton, OR 97005

April 11 Lunch at Randall Children’s Hospital 11:30am – 1:00pm (Inpatient & Clinic Families) April 11 Parent Support – Parents Night Out 6:30pm McMenamins – Kennedy School 5736 NE 33rd Ave Portland, OR 97211

May 20 Fishing Day 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Lake Margaret - Beavercreek, OR

MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY March 12 Mini Golf & Pizza 2:00pm Putters 1156 OR-99 Eugene, OR 97402

www.candlelightersoregon.org

March 11 Rogue Snowmobilers’ Candlelighters Ride 10:00am Thousand Springs Sno-Park By Union Creek

RSVP for Family Events with your regional leaders

CANDLELIGHTERS STAFF

April 6 Cancer Warrior Breakfast 6:30am – 8:30am The Oregon Zoo – Cascade Crest Ballroom 4001 SW Canyon Rd Portland, OR 97221

April TBD Mother Daughter Spa Day

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Jackie Groah 503.719.4244 /Jackie@candlelightersoregon.org PROGRAM DIRECTOR – Karsen O’Bryan 503.719.4244 ext. 3 / Karsen@candlelightersoregon.org DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS – Philip Giles 503.719.4244 ext.9 / Phil@candlelightersoregon.org DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS - Jennifer Jones 503.719.4244 ext. 4 / Jennifer@candlelightersoregon.org CHAPTER CHAIRS: MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY CO-CHAIRS – Mary Lou Bradley: 541.687.0697 / mloubradley@comcast.net Robyn Thompson: 541.343.4528 / adome45@q.com SOUTHERN OREGON CHAIR – Kimberly Bruhn 541.292.3058 / Kimberlybruhn@hotmail.com CENTRAL OREGON CHAIR – Darcy Davis 541.419.6426 / CentralOregonCandlelighters@gmail.com

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PAID

PORTLAND, OR PERMIT 948

5440 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 125 Portland, OR 97221 (P) 503.719.4244 (F) 503.214.5567 www.candlelightersoregon.org Change Service Requested

Yes! I want to make life a little brighter for a child with cancer!

Volunteer With Us!

Candlelighters For Children With Cancer is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization and donations are tax deductible to the extend allowed by law. o $500

o $200

Enclosed is my gift of: o $100 o $50 o $25

o Other $ _________

We have so many opportunities available, please reach out if youâ€™re interested! Please email: Karsen@candlelightersoregon.org or call: 503.719.4244

Please make checks payable to: Candlelighters For Children With Cancer. Send to: 5440 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 125, Portland, OR 97221 AmericanExpress, MASTERCARD and VISA accepted: CC#_____________________________________________Exp. Date: _____________ Security code on back of card: __________ In honor of: ________________________ ________________________ __________ In memory of: _________________________________________________________ Please notify: __________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________

GOOD NEWS

Do you have good news to share? Let us know! Please email: Phil@candlelightersoregon.org or call: 503.719.4244

City:__________________________________ State:__________ Zip:_____________ Donor name: __________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________ State:__________ Zip:_____________ Email: ___________________________________ Phone:______________________

Thank You!

Please cut and mail completed form to: 5440 SW Westgate Drive, Suite 125, Portland, OR 97221

(email needed to process credit card gifts)

Remember to shop at Amazon Smile or credit your Fred Meyer Rewards to Candlelighters for an easy way to donate. Update your contact information: Send to: Phil@candlelightersoregon.org if you have recently moved or changed email addresses.