Every September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the ongoing battle thousands of families in Southern Nevada face when their child is diagnosed with cancer. From the financial toll to the emotional isolation, families are thrown into a whirlwind of challenges that can make life difficult and stressful. Organizations like Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada exist to serve as a beacon of hope for families navigating these difficult times by providing an array of services that ensure every member of the family feels cared for and supported.
The Devastating Impact of Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States. While this statistic is alarming, it does not even begin to capture the emotional, psychological, and financial strain on families when a diagnosis is delivered. The road to recovery is filled with hospital stays, treatments, and procedures that are not only physically demanding but emotionally draining. Parents must juggle the care of their sick child with the needs of other children in the family, often being forced to make sacrifices. Siblings can often feel overlooked, while parents face the seemingly impossible task of holding everything together.
This is where Candlelighters steps in, offering more than just medical assistance. For over 40 years, this Nevada-based organization has provided wraparound services to families battling childhood cancer. Their work is built on the understanding that when one child in a family is sick, the entire family needs care and guidance. Their goal is to offer the resources and assistance that help families stay strong and connected throughout their cancer journey.
Comprehensive Support for Families in Crisis
Candlelighters is unique in its commitment to addressing the needs of the entire family unit. With services that range from financial relief to emotional counseling, Candlelighters ensures that every family member receives the care, understanding, and attention they need.
Emotional and Counseling Support
Candlelighters provides professional counseling services for parents, children, and siblings. These services help families navigate the emotional complexities of treatment, offering them a space to process their feelings and find strength in each other. Support groups are also available, allowing families to share their experiences and connect with others who understand their pain.
Sibling Support Programs
Siblings of children with cancer often find themselves in the shadows, their needs overlooked by the pressing concerns of their sick brother or sister. Candlelighters recognizes this and offers dedicated programs to support these siblings, ensuring they are reminded that they are not alone. Through counseling and group activities, siblings have the opportunity to express their feelings, bond with others in similar situations, and adjust to their changing family dynamics.
Financial Assistance
Cancer treatment can be financially devastating. Many families find themselves faced with mounting medical bills, travel expenses, and the loss of income when one parent must stop working to provide full-time care. Candlelighters steps in with critical financial aid, offering help with rent or mortgage payments, reimbursement for medical expenses, and assistance with travel and lodging when families need to seek treatment outside their home city. By alleviating some of this financial burden, Candlelighters helps families focus on what truly matters: the health and well-being of their child.
Safe Social Opportunities
Connection and community are essential for families going through the trauma of childhood cancer. Candlelighters creates safe, supportive social environments where families can meet others facing similar challenges. Whether through organized events or informal gatherings, these opportunities foster relationships and provide a sense of belonging, reminding families that they are not alone.
A Lifeline for Families in Southern Nevada
Each year, Candlelighters serves approximately 400 families and 1,200 children, including both diagnosed children and their siblings. Over the past decade, the organization has provided nearly $15 million in financial assistance, emotional support, and quality-of-life programs. Their work ensures that no family in Southern Nevada has to face the devastation of childhood cancer on their own.
Kimberly Kindig, CEO of Candlelighters, sums up the organization's mission perfectly: “Childhood cancer doesn’t just affect the child; it affects the entire family. Our mission is to ensure that no family faces this journey alone, providing them with the resources, support, and hope they need during the most challenging time of their lives.”
Ways to Get Involved
There are several meaningful ways the community can get involved to support local families. One of the most impactful actions is to make a donation at CandlelightersNV.org, where even the smallest financial gift helps sustain the essential services provided by Candlelighters. Additionally, spreading the word is key. By following Candlelighters on social media and sharing their messages, you can help raise awareness and show your support for this important cause.
