Parents of children with cancer often feel that friends and family can't or don't understand what they're going through. Kids on chemo and steroids are often tired, cranky and labeled spoiled. Well-meaning friends and family think they need more discipline and less coddling, while stressed out parents are walking a tight rope trying to balance work, family and life-threatening disease. It's nice to know that someone outside the childhood cancer world "gets" it. Read this blog entry by one of our wonderful massage therapists who has volunteered with us at our pampering night for parents:
Elements of Wellness: Everything is Illuminated: "There are just those moments in life when you experience something so profound that it awakens your entire being. I believe that if you are..."
Enhancing the lives of families and children by providing education and advocacy, emotional and practical support, and most of all... HOPE....because kids can't fight cancer alone!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
NIH Recruiting for Study of Childhood Cancer Survivors
07-CH-0192 Announcement
IRB approved 4/11/11
Pediatric cancer survivors study for children and adults 2-24 years of age. You may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study that will evaluate, screen and provide long-term follow up for any prevalence of childhood cancer-related treatment side effects for cancer survivors. This study will be on an outpatient basis and may require other tests such as MRI and blood draws. If you have had a childhood cancer, you may be eligible to participate. For more information call 1-800-411-1222, TTY 1-866-411-1010 or visit www.clinicaltrials.gov. Refer to study 07-CH-0192. The NIH is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Jel-Sert Take a Pop and Share a Smile
Inova Fairfax Hospital received a freezer full of freezer pops last month from our friends and childhood cancer supporters at Jel-Sert.
"The patients and families are very excited about the popsicles, and the design on the freezer is very friendly and colorful. It is amazing that something as simple as popsicles can make a child happy and help them get through a tough time."
~ Holly Senn, Child Life Coordinator
As anyone familiar with cancer treatment knows, hydration and eating is often a problem due to mouth sores from chemo. The folks at Jel-Sert recognize that they can provide this practical support to kids in cancer treatment, while also promoting awareness of childhood cancer on their products and contributing to research. Jel-Sert is placing 100 freezers in treatment centers around the country! Also, be sure to look for their childhood awareness campaign on boxes of Fla-Vor-Ice, Otter Pops and Pop Ice packages.
DC Candlelighters receives JYPI grant of $500!
DC Candlelighters is honored to be chosen as a grant recipient of the Jewish Youth Philanthrophy Institute (JYPI).
JYPI teens "contribute to their group’s collective grant fund, which is matched dollar-for-dollar by generous donations from members of the community. Dynamic presentations and site visits to community agencies help youth understand the special funding needs of organizations working to make a difference in our world. Participants make funding decisions based on grant proposals submitted by a variety of local, national and international nonprofits representing both the Jewish and secular communities."
The $500 check was presented by Alex Schwab at the awards ceremony on April 3rd.
Huge thank you to Alex and JYPI!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Call for Action - Call Congress to Save Cancer Research Funding!
Friends,
We're forwarding this from the American Childhood Cancer Organization, formerly the national headquarters of Candlelighters. Please, take a moment to read and call your member of Congress.
Negotiations are currently underway within Congress to finalize an appropriations bill for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. While we do not know the specific dollar amount recommended for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we do know that there has been significant push to reduce the current funding levels to FY 2008 which would have a devastating impact on cancer research funding.
ACCO encourages all families to CALL your Members of Congress in support of NIH/NCI funding. Calls are recommended instead of letters as this issue is time-sensitive. The following are key points to use during these calls....
We're forwarding this from the American Childhood Cancer Organization, formerly the national headquarters of Candlelighters. Please, take a moment to read and call your member of Congress.
Negotiations are currently underway within Congress to finalize an appropriations bill for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. While we do not know the specific dollar amount recommended for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we do know that there has been significant push to reduce the current funding levels to FY 2008 which would have a devastating impact on cancer research funding.
ACCO encourages all families to CALL your Members of Congress in support of NIH/NCI funding. Calls are recommended instead of letters as this issue is time-sensitive. The following are key points to use during these calls....
Friday, April 1, 2011
April 26th Parent Night ~ Relax with Reiki, Massage & Yoga!
Please join us on April 26th for a special evening of dinner and relaxation techniques. A separate children's program for ages 5-12 will be offered simultaneously.
RSVP to dccandlelighters@gmail.com
Beyond the Cure Free Web Conference ~ School Issues
2011 General Conference Series
The NCCS also sponsors regular web conferences for caregivers and healthcare professionals. The 2011 series focuses on "Optimizing the Lifelong Health of Childhood Cancer Survivors."
To register for a web conference please click on the link:
School Issues
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Time: 1:30-2:30 pm CDT
Presenter: Daniel Armstrong, PhD
The NCCS also sponsors regular web conferences for caregivers and healthcare professionals. The 2011 series focuses on "Optimizing the Lifelong Health of Childhood Cancer Survivors."
To register for a web conference please click on the link:
School Issues
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Time: 1:30-2:30 pm CDT
Presenter: Daniel Armstrong, PhD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)