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September eNews
September / 5 / 2013
From the desk of Jocelyn Lamont

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we have a hugely busy month with lots going on.  Be sure to check in at www.candlelighters.net, on Facebook  and @candlelighters1 on Twitter.
In This Newsletter
Okay, so back to September...

 

Mayor Jim Watson proclaimed Tuesday September 3rd "Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" in the City of Ottawa at an amazing event that afternoon at Big Rig.  What a fantastic event it was, so many smiling kids faces (parents too) and I just want to thank everyone who participated and joined in making the day the success that it was.  Special thanks to Erin and Chris Phillips, along with Ben, Zoe and Naomi for joining us, Max Keeping, City Councillors Egli, Chiarelli and Wilkinson, Sally Boucher and Joan Highet from Candlelighter's Board of Directors, Adam for taking pix, Icing Smiles for the cake, Ontario Linen Solutions, TR and the crew at Big Rig!
Re-Opening of 4North at CHEO
 
Excited about the re-opening of 4North at CHEO this week and I am sure the folks at CHEO and the CHEO Foundation are looking forward to sharing the re-fresh with all of us.  Thanks to everyone involved in making this happen!

 

To all parents and caregivers of 14 - 18 year old patients or survivors ... watch your mailboxes as we are sending out the Workshop "AfterCare - What you Need to Know" pamphlet and registration information to you.  This day promises to provide helpful information and useful tips for those of you who will have teens moving on from pediatric oncology care at CHEO into the adult system.  It is free to attend, with our sincere thanks to Mr. Ward, and includes everything you will need - coffee, tea and morning snacks together with a fantastic lunch!  So please, make Candlelighters part of your day on Saturday, September 21, 2013 and join us!  Please click here to register or email information@candlelighters.net  and let us know if you are planning to participate.  We'd love to see you there!
Important Events in September!

Funhaven Family Fun Day - where is that happening?? Well at FUNHAVEN, of course! Please join us on
Monday September 23rd at FunHaven from 5:30 - 8:30 for a couple hours of good old FUN!! Can't thank the good folks at Amdocs enough for hosting this event. The kindness and generosity in having a fun event for families in September is so greatly appreciated. Please email information@candlelighters.net and let us know if you are planning to participate. 

"Where there's Light, there's Hope" 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner is coming up on Thursday September 26th. Sponsored by ADGA, this SOLD OUT evening brings together a tremendous group of Candlelighters supporters for one of the most special evenings in Candlelighters annual calendar. I very much look forward to welcoming Trisha Ciarlo, our keynote speaker for the event.
More exciting news and notes...

Candlelighters is so very fortunate to have many of our families working with us to raise awareness and the necessary funding for the ongoing provision of our programs and services. It is heartwarming and really speaks volumes as to how important the things we here at Candlelighters do for all of our families. 

Journey 24K is one such event, being organized by Lidia Curcio and Gabriella's Groupies. It is being held on Friday September 20 at Salo San Marco. If you haven't gotten tickets yet, get them quick, they are going fast!!

Refuse2Lose has also done some pretty incredible things this summer and we are ever grateful for their hard work in keeping Suite Seats going through another season!

The 10th Annual Tori Carswell golf tournament, held this past August 24th was bittersweet, as Paul & Kim announced it was the final year for this particular event, but NOT the end of Tori's Helping Hand! This amazing program has provided invaluable support to palliative patients and bereaved families, as well as the many families who need to travel outside of Ottawa to another treatment centre. It is hard to believe that I have had the privilege of participating in the tournament for 7 or 8 years and my golf game is still so bad, but the Carswell's have raised .... Wait for it ... unbelievable and totally amazing.... $368,919!!! That's right, over three hundred and sixty eight thousand dollars to help families of children with cancer in need! A HUGE thank you to Paul, Kim and Bryce, as well as all their friends and family who have been so supportive this event. Thank you so much, and while we may not see you on the golf course .... we will definitely be seeing you !!xxoo. 

Before we know it, the leaves will be turning colour and branches will become bare. While I am always happy for the return of school and routines in my life, time is moving way to quickly.... Until next time... Jocelyn 
My Story

Has Candlelighters supported you? your family? or someone you know who was faced with childhood cancer?

Please share your story with us. Only takes a few minutes to tell us how Candlelighters' programs and services supported you in time of need.

www.candlelighters.net/about/my-story
Program Updates 
  •  Smiling Siblings
We have changed the format of Smiling Siblings based on some feedback we were receiving about having parents join the kids and offering outings. Please remember, this is a SIBLING program - the whole idea is that the brothers and sisters of children with cancer are honored and recognized for the things that they endure as part of a family of children with cancer. These outings are not for the patients themselves and not intended for entire families. Saturday, September 14th we are planning an outing at the Museum of Nature. Please let us know if a parent is able to bring brothers and /or sisters. We will require a rsvp. In order to continue Smiling Siblings, families need to demonstrate that they want this initiative. Please email information@candlelighters.net and let us know if you are planning to participate.
  • Courage Beads 4N
Candlelighters' Courage Beads on 4N have been moved to the Sens Den in the cupboard above the computer.
  • The 2013 Kaila Apple Wong Bursary
We are delighted to announce that Zac Johnstone and Sophie Barker have been chosen to receive this award. Congratulations Zac and Sophie!
Thank you!
 
Thank you to the following people who have supported Candlelighters over the summer:

Heather Wilson
Scott, Kerri & Jaclyn Hanthorn
The Todd Family
Isla and Gwynn MacIntosh
Decisive Technologies
Kennedy Hoganson
Bayshore Junior Youth Empowerment Program (JYEP)
L'École Élémentaire Catholique Des Pionniers
Lee Farruga (Geeky Godmother)
All of our volunteers who have helped us out at various events over the summer J
Eric Diotte and family
Trev Perkins
The Simms Family
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