Programs and Services

Financial Assistance 

DC Candlelighters is pleased to offer financial assistance to families of children in treatment for cancer. We know first-hand how families often struggle with the financial stress of treatment, compounding the strain on the family.  While our funds are limited, we hope to reach as many families as possible in the DC metro area to ease this burden, at least in part. 

Click here for our financial assistance policy and application, with instructions on where to send the completed application for consideration. 

New Patient Care Bags

In partnership with Teardrops to Rainbows, we provide Patient Care Bags to newly-diagnosed families who find themselves in the hospital after their child's cancer diagnosis. Care bags are age/gender-specific to the newly diagnosed child, and include items for both the child and the parent(s), such as toiletry essentials; information and resources on the child's cancer, a hand-made blanket, books/toys; a binder and journal to help parents keep track of treatments; gas cards; book lights.

If you are aware of a newly diagnosed family in the Washington, DC Metro area (including Northern Virginia and Maryland), who might benefit from the Patient Care Bags, please contact us at dccandlelighters@gmail.com.

Books on Childhood Cancer

Through our partnership with the national Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation office, we provide books to families at little or no cost. These include age-specific books for the preschooler with cancer, children with cancer, teens with cancer, and siblings of cancer patients. Resource books are also available for parents that cover the various aspects of a diagnosis of childhood cancer, including information on clinical trials, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, financial help, emotional and social issues, late term effects, educational issues and more.

Educational Seminars

In association with the Life with Cancer Center, DC Metro Candlelighters sponsors periodic seminars on such topics as "Educating the Child with Cancer" and "Survivorship: What's Next?" The seminars are usually scheduled around a complimentary dinner (hosted by DC Candlelighters), and childcare is provided when available. To see a list of upcoming seminars and other DC Candlelighters activities, please visit our blog at http://dccandlelighters.blogspot.com.  

Caregiver Teas/Meet & Greets 

These are informal teas/coffee time hosted by DC Candlelighters and held at various times throughout each month at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Children's National Medical Center, Georgetown University Hospital, and the local out-patient clinics. These teas provide a chance for families/caregivers who are currently in-patient and/or receiving treatment at an out-patient clinic to speak with others who have walked in their shoes and been through the childhood cancer experience. During these visits, our goal is to reach out to as many childhood cancer families in the DC metro area as possible and offer our services, share our own experiences, and provide a helping hand, a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on if needed. To see when we will be making a visit to a clinic or hospital near you, please visit our blog at http://dccandlelighters.blogspot.com.

National Heroes Tree

Each year, we help transform Washington, DC's Old Post Office Pavilion for the holidays, erecting a 25-foot tall "Hero Tree," sponsored by the National Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, covering the tree with thousands of gold ribbons, representing children fighting cancer, survivors, and those who have lost the battle. We also assist with the largest gathering of childhood cancer families in the country as we celebrate the children at the Hero Tree Lighting Ceremony each year on the second Saturday in December.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Quilt

This ongoing project to honor children who have battled cancer began in 1998 to bring awareness of childhood cancer and encourage our lawmakers to address the issue. It was the brainchild of Kathy Cales of South Carolina, and quickly spread nationwide through the internet. Nearly 50 quilts from around the nation were displayed at The March Against Cancer in Washington D.C. on September 26, 1998. Supermodel Cindy Crawford took part in the beautiful and emotional unveiling ceremony.

The quilts have continued to grow in number since the first display in 1998 and since then have graced the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building in our nation's capital, as well as the Rayburn House Office Building. They have been on a cross-country bike tour with One Voice Across America, visiting cancer treatment centers and inspiring families along the way. The quilts are displayed at Curesearch�s Gold Ribbon Days/Reach The Day events, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walks and St. Baldrick events. During the December holidays, the quilts are displayed around the Gold Ribbon Holiday Tree. The quilts are a beautiful and moving tribute to our young heroes and are a focal point at every event in which they are displayed.