Candlelighters Simcoe

Candlelighters Simcoe was established in 1990 by the parent of a childhood cancer patient.  Candlelighters Simcoe is not-for-profit volunteer organization that provides programs and services for young cancer patients residing in Simcoe county and surrounding areas and to those they depend on for strength and support.

Why We Exist

• Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in Ontario children. Only accidents will kill more children this year.
• Each year approximately 400 children are diagnosed with cancer in Ontario
• The causes of childhood cancer are largely unknown.
• The psychological and social impact of childhood cancer can be significant. It may include problems of coping and adjustment of patient, siblings and parents, lapsed school achievement, learning deficits, and financial distress to the family.
• Survivorship in the pediatric population has improved across all diagnoses during the past 20 years. It is now 75 percent and rising.  This creates varied and new issues for families once treatment is completed.

What Makes Us Unique

Candlelighters Simcoe provides programs and services “exclusively” for children with cancer and their families. Candlelighters Simcoe programs and services are aimed at needs of the entire family, and deal mainly with alleviating both the emotional and financial stress that families of children with cancer deal with on a daily basis. Our programs are facilitated by parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.