SUPPORT FROM PARENTS WHO’VE BEEN THERE

“Your child has cancer.” Words no parents ever want to hear. Words you’ve heard. Words we’ve heard. Words that will change your life forever. Words that are spoken to a new family every two minutes of every day.

But you are not alone, because we have been where you are. We are Candlelighters Parent Consultants. We have stood by our children as they fought childhood cancer, and now we’re here to stand with you; to provide daily support filled with words of hope, gestures of kindness, and knowledge and understanding. We’re here to be a shoulder to cry on and the cheerleader in your corner; we’re here to be the light in your darkest hours.

CHILDREN’S CANCER HOSPITAL AT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
You can find us on Mondays and Thursdays in the clinic on R7 and in-patient on G9.

TEXAS CHILDREN’S CANCER & HEMATOLOGY CENTER
You can find us Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in the Wallace Tower 14^th Floor Infusion Center and inpatient on the Cancer/Hematology floors.

TEXAS CHILDREN’S WEST CAMPUS
You can find us in the 4^th floor Cancer and Hematology Clinic the first Monday of each month.

TEXAS CHILDREN’S WOODLANDS CAMPUS
You can find us on the 5th Floor of the Clinical Care Building on the third Wednesday of each month.

Parent Consultants:

Opal Goodman*
Parent Consultant & Family Development Coordinator
I’m a cancer mom, serving families who receive treatment in the Texas Medical Center through their childhood cancer journey. I connect families to Candlelighters events and encourage them to pay it forward for future childhood cancer families in whatever way works for their family.
Linda Pena*
Parent Consultant
I’m a cancer mom, serving families who receive treatment at Texas Children's Cancer Center (Main Campus and The Woodlands Campus) on their journey through childhood cancer. I also speak Spanish.
Maria Pena*
Parent Consultant
I’m a cancer mom, serving families who receive treatment at Texas Children's Cancer Center on their journey through childhood cancer. I also speak Spanish.
Yuvisela Sifuentes*
Parent Consultant
I’m a cancer mom, serving families who receive treatment at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital on their journey through childhood cancer. I also speak Spanish.