Resources/Helpful Links

DC Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation is committed to making sure that parents have the most current and useful information available in order to make the best decisions for their children.  The following is a list of web sites that are dedicated to providing information about cancer and cancer treatment.  This list is by no means intended to be an exhaustive list of resources. However, we have attempted to include the largest and most valuable resources that are available on the Internet.  If you find a site that you would like us to add, please send us a note at dccandlelighters@gmail.com and we will be happy to look into including it here. 

(Those marked with an asterisk * represent organizations located within the Washington, DC Metro area; All others are nationwide) 

ACOR  The Association of Cancer Online Resources is an internet based non-profit. The main benefits of this site are gained by joining one of their disease specific list-servs and connecting with other parents worldwide.

Alex's Lemonade Stand   A unique foundation that evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand into a nationwide fundraising movement for childhood cancer.  They are committed to raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer causes, primarily research into new cures and treatments, and encourage and educate others, especially children, to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  Sign up for your own lemonade stand!

American Brain Tumor Association  Provides the information patients and their families need to understand their treatment choices to be active participants on their healthcare team. Offers information about the newest treatments, physicians and support services for brain tumor families.

Band-Aids and Blackboards   This is a site that includes helpful tips for taking medication and talking to friends about illness, games, poems, graphics, art, photos, essays, and true stories from other young people with chronic illness.

Band of Parents In the fight against neuroblastoma, the Band of Parents provides information and support for families of children in treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and raises money for the development of innovative treatments by MSK's team of neuroblastoma specialists.

Bereavement Resources

Candelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation  Founded by parents of children with cancer, this organization offers support services for young people who have cancer or who have survived cancer as well as families of childhood cancer patients. The CCCF maintains an information library and regularly publishes newsletters that discuss issues related to childhood cancer.

Caring Bridge - Free, personalized websites that support and connect loved ones during critical illness, treatment and recovery.  

Care Pages - Free patient blogs that connect friends and family during a health challenge.  

*Carol Jean Cancer Foundation  Provides year-round recreational and support groups free of charge to children with cancer and their families throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.

Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation  A non-profit organization founded in 1988 by dedicated parents, physicians and friends, their mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and the long term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy to families and survivors.

Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation   Committed to supporting children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and their families, CNCF hosts the annual Neuroblastoma Conference for Families and Caregivers and provides funding for new and advanced research studies. 

Corporate Angel Network    Arranges free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment using the empty seats on corporate jets.  Children traveling for treatment may be accompanied by two adult caregivers (it is not necessary that both parents of the child be caregivers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and family friends can travel as a caregiver).

CureSearch  Find information related to specific cancer type, stages of treatment and age group, as well as tips on navigating the healthcare system and how to get support.

Firefight Cancer Foundation   Provides international outreach, emotional support, and social and resource assistance programs for fire fighters and family members stricken by cancer.

Flashes of Hope - Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life threatening illnesses through the United States.   

*Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation   Founded to support the Oughton family during treatment, the Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation's mission has grown to support both families of children fighting neuroblastoma, through direct financial assistance, and the researchers working tirelessly to find an effective way to eradicate this terrible disease.

Hopecam - Hopecam helps connect homebound children undergoing treatment for cancer with their friends at school using laptops, high speed internet connections and webcameras. 

Leukemia-Lymphoma Society  Dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

*Life with Cancer Located in Northern Virginia, Life with Cancer can help you meet the challenges of living with cancer by providing you and your loved ones with seminars, support groups, individual and family educational meetings and workshops, all free of charge, no matter where you live or receive treatment.  They are staffed by a group of highly experienced and caring professionals, including social workers, nurses, and art counselors, who provide the help and support that children and parents need.

Locks of Love  Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 18 years and younger suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Lotsa Helping Hands - Lotsa Helping Hands was created to support family caregivers and volunteers by empowering their circles of community who are eager to help those in need.  

Make A Wish Foundation   Mission is to enrich the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship  The oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country and a highly respected authentic voice at the federal level that advocates for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors.

Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society  An organization dedicated to advocating for the children who suffer from neuroblastoma and serving as a support center for their families.

Oncolink  This site offers general information that will allow you to find facts about your child's diagnosis and treatment.  It includes many relevant references on a variety of topics and childhood cancers.

*Patti's Place  Patti's Place, located in the metro Washington, DC area, offers supportive counseling to young people who are currently off treatment, their brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents.  There is no time limit for how long a person has been off treatment in order to be eligible for services.  Counseling is also available to people living with relapse, and grief counseling is available to families who have experiences the death of a person from childhood cancer or subsequent cancer diagnoses or other related illnesses.

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation   Dedicated to supporting the search for the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors.

*Special Love  A camp located in Virginia that gives children and young adults with cancer and their families a chance to enjoy normal childhood activities that healthy kids often take for granted.  Offers week-long camps, like Camp Fantastic (for cancer kids) and BRASS Camp (for siblings), to weekend retreats for families, teens and young adults.

Starbright  A non-profit organization that creates interactive, engaging programs to help children, teens and families cope with the challenges of living with a serious illness. All programs are provided free of charge to children, teens and families.

Teens Living with Cancer  An interactive web site for teenagers who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as their friends and family.