About Us

DC Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit support group for families with children of cancer in the Washington , DC metropolitan area (including Northern Virginia and Maryland ). We are affiliated with the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, an international network of parent support groups founded in 1970 by parents of children with cancer. The membership of over 50,000 members of the national office and more than 100,000 members across the country, including affiliate groups, include:

Board of Directors

Jennifer Click
Jen is the mother of two children. Her daughter was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in January 2003 at the age of 4, and has been disease-free since July 2003, and off treatment since October 2004. In addition to her work with DC Candlelighters, Jen is a co-editor of the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation's Handbook for Parents of Children with Neuroblastoma. She also serves on the board of the Band of Parents of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Meg Lawless
Meg's daughter, Rachel, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on December 6, 1998. Neuroblastoma is one of the Childhood Cancers that doesn't have a great cure rate. Rachel died on July 3, 2001. She is missed each and every day. She is Meg's forever 6 year old Angel and continues to guide her in her life directions. The mission of Candlelighters is so important to Meg as she did not have access to a Candlelighters' group at either hospital that Rachel had treatment in. Meg feels supporting families going thru childhood cancer treatment is the most important aspect of the childhood cancer community activities that she is involved with.

Sheri Schaffer
Sheri's son, Ashton, was diagnosed with t-cell Leukemia in late 1998, at the age of 2, and spent 26 months in treatment. Sheri and her family have been involved in many childhood cancer organizations over the past 10 years. Sheri is currently serving as Secretary for the DC Candlelighters.

Gail Scheller
Gail Scheller's son Christopher was diagnosed in 1996 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia just after his 2nd birthday. He completed over two years of chemotherapy and remains cancer free. She is also active with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a First Connection Volunteer. Gail is currently serving as Vice President/Treasurer for the DC Candlelighters.

Lisa Tignor
Lisa's two sons are long-term survivors of leukemia; one diagnosed with ALL in 1996 and the other in 1998 and 2003. Lisa currently serves as president of DC Candlelighters. She has been active for over 10 years in the childhood cancer community, first as state coordinator of the Childhood Cancer Awareness Quilt and more recently as the national coordinator of the quilt project. Lisa also serves on the board of Growing Hope, a Northern Virginia charity.

Laurie A. Weiss, MSW, LCSW
Laurie Weiss received her Master of Social Work degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University in 1984. For over 23 years, she has committed herself to helping others through various social work organizations. Early in her career she worked for a Family and Children�s agency located in London, England. After returning to the United States in 1986 she continues her commitment to helping families and children in the greater Washington, DC area. She is presently employed as a Grief Counselor for Capital Hospice, working with individuals, groups and families living with the loss of their loved ones. As part of her work at Capital Hospice, she facilitates children's groups at their annual Point of Hope Grief Camp. Previously, Laurie worked for INOVA Fairfax Hospital from 1992-1999 as their first Pediatric Oncology Social Worker, assisting families living with childhood cancer. Since 2001, she has facilitated groups for C.O.P.S. Kids, an organization dedicated to helping children who have experienced the death of a loved one that served in Law Enforcement Agencies in the U.S.. Laurie is proud to be an active Board Member of the DC Chapter of Candlelighter's Childhood Cancer Foundation. Laurie is licensed in both Maryland and Virginia.

Advisory Board Member:

Lois Lyons
Lois Lyons began working with children and families who were coping with cancer while volunteering at a Pediatric Oncology Camp in 1994. Following a one-week camping experience, Lois found herself truly impassioned towards this cause, and after returning from camp, became involved as a pediatric oncology volunteer at a hospital in Northern Virginia. On Christmas Eve 1998, Lois met Rachel Crossett -- a precious three year-old who had just been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Rachel told stories about getting to the pot of gold, bringing it home, and sharing the wealth with everyone. In honor of Rachel's spirit, and to help preserve the memory of such a special young girl, Lois founded, and is currently President of Teardrops to Rainbows, a non-profit to help families in the fight against cancer.