OUR FAMILY PROGRAMS

Family events are private functions held to benefit families facing childhood cancer.  These events lift family morale and help affected children enjoy just being a child.  You can help by donating to any of these events, and in some cases, by volunteering to help organize and facilitate these events.  If you are a family who would like to find out more information about our family events and support, please contact one of our Parent Consultants.

THE PARENT CONSULTANT PROGRAM

was developed to directly meet the needs of families at the treatment centers and to inform them of potential resources and help through Candlelighters. Each Parent Consultant had or has a child with cancer and knows what it is like to be the parent of a child with cancer. The Parent Consultant provides emotional, educational and practical support to families being treated at the Texas Medical Center. This unique program consists of four parent consultants serving childhood cancer families at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Cancer Hospital and Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS PROGRAM

provides hope, support and practical help to families during the holiday season. Our Adopt-A-Family program pairs organizations, companies, and community members with a Candlelighters family, spreading holiday cheer to childhood cancer families. This heartwarming program offers sponsors the opportunity to personally interact with families.

CAMP CLIFF (CHILDREN LOVED IN FAMILIES FOREVER)

a unique camp that includes the entire family, providing a weekend away from cancer. Families enjoy a camping experience and an opportunity to spend time away from the hectic routines of hospitals and treatments.

CREATE FOR CANDLELIGHTERS: SUMMER ART CONTEST 

Calling all artists! Candlelighters wants YOU to draw up some fun this summer! Prizes awarded for winners. Contest runs July 1 – August 15, 2022. Contact us for more information.
Download Contest Rules. Download Submission Form.

FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

held in October each year, is a fun event for the entire family with food, games, carnival events, recreational activities, and surprises.

FUN WALK

Organize a team of walkers with your family, friends and coworkers in honor or memory of your child!  This is an event where you’ll walk alongside other families and community members touched by childhood cancer who also want to pay it forward.

SUMMER SURPRISES

is held each summer at Texas Children’s and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Cancer Hospital. Volunteers deliver gifts to children in the hospital or at the clinic. The event includes handing out gifts and sweets to all of the childhood cancer patients and their siblings. It brings some “holiday” cheer in the middle of summer to children undergoing treatment at the cancer centers.

OUR NEWSLETTER 

distributed 4 times a year for all families. It contains articles on school issues, emotional support and childhood cancer. The quarterly newsletter connects all our families with a calendar of events and happenings, articles from long-term survivors and patients on treatment, memorials, and photos and articles of interest to our families, our sponsors and our donors.

SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

held each week for parents of children on treatment, off treatment or bereaved. Weekly meetings are led by the Parent Consultants and provide parents a forum to discuss a broad range of concerns and issues facing childhood cancer families.