What We Do

All Candlelighters services are free to patients and their families.

Services

New-Diagnosis Bags
Candlelighters provides "survival kits" for newly diagnosed children and their families. These bags contain adult toiletries, crayons, coloring books, and small toys, pre-paid long-distance calling cards, gift certificates to local restaurants, pens and notepads, and information about cancer resources. The bags are usually distributed at the hospital, or you may contact Candlelighters for a free bag.

Financial Assistance
Assistance is available to families struggling with the daily challenge of caring for a child with cancer. We can help families arrange transportation, lodging, and long-distance service. Families of children with cancer are also eligible to apply for financial assistance through Candlelighters of Central Arkansas. Please read the Policy Statement carefully before completing the financial assistance form. Please print the form and fax or mail to Candlelighters.

(The Policy Statement and Application Form are provided in pdf format. Your computer must have
Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view these files. You may click on the link below and download the free reader.



Scholarship
Candlelighters provides up to $1,000 in scholarship assistance to to college-bound students with a history of childhood cancer. Established in 2002 in Memory of Leslie Marie Anderson, the scholarship fund is intended to help young cancer survivors attain their educational goals. Arkansas residents diagnosed with cancer before age 21 are elligible.

(The Scholarship Application is provided in pdf format. Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat reader to view these files. You may click on the Adobe link above and download the free reader.)

Educational Materials
Candlelighters provides free books, educational materials, and information about childhood cancer and cancer resources to patients and families. Please contact us if you would like to request this service.

Resource Network
Candlelighters can link families with experienced parent volunteers. Families benefit from the mutual understanding and reassurance that comes from contact with another cancer family. We also help families locate financial and practical resources both locally and nationally.

Speakers Bureau
Candlelighters volunteers are available to speak to civic groups, churches, and other organizations about the childhood cancer experience.

Hospital and Home Visitations
A Candlelighters parent volunteer is available to visit families in the hospital immediately after initial diagnosis and, if necessary, throughout the child's illness, to provide support, social contact, and practical, non-clinical information.

Events and Social Activities
Candlelighters co-hosts a Survivor Picnic and Childhood Cancer Awareness Event each September. Families of children with cancer are invited to attend, as well as anyone affected by childhood cancer.

Candlelighters also organizes social activities for families throughout the year.

Adopt-A-Family
During the holidays and throughout the year, Candlelighters matches patients and families with community volunteers and organizations who provide gifts and support.

Toy Drives
Candlelighters works with community based organizations and individuals to collect toys for distribution to young cancer patients and their siblings.

Newsletter
A print newsletter is distributed quarterly.