Candlelighters is special. As an avid supporter of nonprofits and the community, I’ve had the privilege of working with nonprofit organizations for more than twenty years. I started working with Candlelighters in the way most people do: as a volunteer nearly sixteen years ago. With a deep commitment to service, I joined an amazing team whose personal missions aligned with Candlelighters’: to provide emotional support, quality-of-life programs, and financial assistance for children and their families affected by childhood cancer.
Ten years ago, after volunteering for years and serving as a Lead Camp Counselor for Candlelighters’ Camp Firefly, I joined the organization as Director of Development. Today, I celebrate my promotion to Candlelighters’ Chief Mission Delivery Officer. I am humbled and honored—not only by this opportunity but also by the remarkable journey and team that have brought me here.
Candlelighters’ mission has always been at the core of everything we do, and it is our people—the dedicated individuals who show up every day with passion and purpose—who make that mission come to life. As I celebrate my promotion, I am even more thrilled to recognize the incredible talent within our team. Many of my colleagues, who have also grown and evolved within the organization, are stepping into new leadership roles, and their achievements are a testament to the strength and depth of our shared commitment.
Nicole Neal has been elevated to a new role as Development Manager for Institutional Giving and Grants. Nicole is primarily responsible for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding new and existing institutional funders and corporate partners. Nicole has been instrumental in our ongoing grant efforts and has consistently offered innovative ideas on corporate funding for family programming. By dedicating Nicole to this specific effort, she will be best deployed to expand support for families through increasing corporate engagement, advancing grant initiatives, and strengthening our relationships with key partners.
Additionally, Jackie Trueblood is now Candlelighters’ Annual Giving and Events Manager. Jackie’s journey with Candlelighters is a testament to the organization’s lasting impact. Jackie’s son was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 when he was nearly 2 years old. Candlelighters helped Jackie and her family navigate the diagnosis, and as Jackie’s son’s journey led to remission, Jackie’s journey led her to join Candlelighters, helping others along their path. As the Annual Giving and Events Manager, Jackie will manage and grow our annual giving initiatives, including monthly and individual donors, and lead and ensure the successful execution of the Superhero 5K and Halloween Bash. This focus will enable Jackie to strengthen donor engagement, enhance event experiences, and further drive the impact of our programs. For the past ten years, Jackie has been an integral part of Candlelighters, bringing dedication, passion, and a deep commitment to our mission in various roles during her tenure.
Candlelighters’ community support is not about one individual; it is about fostering a culture where each person’s contributions are valued, growth is encouraged, and we work together to create meaningful change. Seeing my colleagues develop into leaders reminds me that our organization is not just about the work we do but also about the people who make it happen. Their dedication inspires me, and I know that our ability to serve our community will only continue to expand with this passionate team.
Candlelighters has so many exciting developments and initiatives on the horizon, allowing us to further support children and families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis in our community. I am proud to work with this incredible team every day as we expand and introduce new programs to address the specific needs of each person in the family affected by a cancer diagnosis in a unique and impactful way. With our new forever home, future focus, and team, we are even better positioned to serve our community.
This is a new chapter, not just for me but for all of us. And I couldn’t be more excited to see where it leads!
