Resource Guide
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada
55 Eglinton Ave East, Suite 401
Toronto, Ontario M4P 1S8
Telephone: (416) 489-6440
Fax: (416) 489-9812
Website: http://www.childhoodcancer.ca
The Childhood Cancer Foundation Candlelighters Canada is a national organization that provides a range of support programs for children with cancer and their families; promotes and funds childhood cancer research in all of Canada's children's hospitals and childhood cancer treatment centres; and advocates for progressive health care and social policy to benefit children and their families. Professional education materials are available in a range of hard and soft copy formats, as well as through the Foundation's Web site.
Services:
Advocacy
Advocacy covers a range of activities. For non-profit organizations, it usually means speaking out on behalf of the people they serve, and asking people to help in carrying out their mission. Organizations that advocate on behalf of children with cancer work towards improving treatment and services for children and their families. They also provide support in advocating for the individual needs of children and families. If a patient or family feels powerless or mistreated by the system and have not been able to resolve their difficulties, they should speak to the treatment team or with a hospital employee who handles complaints. In these instances, an advocate may help to resolve issues. Advocacy organizations are often looking for concerned individuals who are willing to bring the needs of people with cancer to the attention of politicians, health care administrators and professionals. There are many opportunities for cancer survivors to serve on committees and express their concerns.
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations, parent support groups, and institutions that are affected by childhood cancer and have a defined need that requires lobbying at a government and/or institutional level. |
| Referral: | Any Source. |
| Hours: | Mon to Fri; 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Staffing: | Three full time staff and volunteers. |
| Location: | Family home, school, and community. |
| Decision Time: | 24 ? 48 hours. |
Family Education
There is a great deal of information available about childhood cancer, and often, parents are keen to learn everything they can about the disease. A number of organizations provide education programs and produce materials that can help families understand what is happening to their child, and learn about treatment techniques, support services, etc.
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations: pediatric institutions with oncology departments, professionals/clinical, teachers, volunteers, and students. |
| Referral: | Any source including self-referral. |
| Application: | No formal procedure. ?Families, children, professionals and volunteers who request educational material. A Family Resource Kit is available through all hospitals or through contacts above. Web site referenced above is a primary source of information for families dealing with a cancer diagnosis |
| Location: | Family home, ?hospitals, schools, and community. |
| Decision Time: | Immediate. |
Financial Assistance > Education
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer creates many challenges in life including financial ones. Financial issues can sometimes overshadow the illness and make it difficult to concentrate on getting better. There are many organizations and agencies that provide financial assistance with medical costs, drugs, transportation, travel and accommodation.
| Available for: | Survivors of childhood cancer ages 17 - 25. |
| Referral: | Any source including self-referral. |
| Application: | Contact the national office. |
| Staffing: | Three full time staff and volunteers. |
| Location: | All across Canada. |
| Decision Time: | 4 to 12 weeks. |
Fundraising
Community fundraising provides extra funds t cover programs and services that are not funded by government. Fundraising is carried out using a number of methods such as special events, campaigns, corporate donations, etc. Fundraising also provides the community with an opportunity to participate in helping those who are experiencing a serious illness.
| Available for: | Survivors of childhood cancer ages 17 - 25. |
| Referral: | Any source including self-referral. |
| Application: | Contact the national office. |
| Staffing: | Three full time staff and volunteers. |
| Location: | All across Canada. |
| Decision Time: | 4 to 12 weeks. |
Information and Referral
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations, parent support groups and institutions that are affected by childhood cancer and have a defined need. |
| Referral: | Any Source including self-referral. |
| Application: | Contact the national office. |
| Staffing: | Three full time staff and volunteers. |
| Location: | All across Canada. |
| Decision Time: | 24 ? 48 hours. |
Professional Education
A wide range of organizations provide special information about childhood cancer to professionals that are caring for children and their families. These organizations are able to research treatment techniques and keep abreast of new medical technologies.
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations, pediatric institutions with oncology departments, professionals/clinical, and teachers. |
| Referral: | Any Source including self-referral. |
| Application: | Contact office. |
| Location: | Family home, ?hospitals, schools, and community. |
| Decision Time: | Immediate. |
Support Groups, Activities and Services > Bereavement Support or Follow
Support groups provide families with a chance to share their experience with others that may be going through the same thing. There are different types of support groups and families should look for one that suits their particular needs. For example, peer support programs link children and their parents with other similar families. Parent associations provide mutual support as well as fundraising and educational services. This section also includes hospital visitation services, and special family support services such as respite/caregiver relief, childcare, and advocacy for case coordination. It is important to note that support groups differ from individual or group psychotherapy. The key feature of support groups is people helping each other. Many groups are lead by facilitators who ensure that the group functions smoothly.
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations, parent support groups, and institutions that are affected by childhood cancer and have a defined need that requires lobbying at a government and/or institutional level. |
| Referral: | Any source. |
| Application: | No formal procedure. |
Research
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations, parent support groups, and institutions that are affected by childhood cancer and have a defined need that requires lobbying at a government and/or institutional level. |
| Referral: | Any Source. |
| Application: | No formal procedure. |
| Staffing: | Three full time staff and volunteers. |
| Location: | Family home, school, and community. |
| Decision Time: | 24 ? 48 hours. |
Advocacy
Advocacy covers a range of activities. For non-profit organizations, it usually means speaking out on behalf of the people they serve, and asking people to help in carrying out their mission. Organizations that advocate on behalf of children with cancer work towards improving treatment and services for children and their families. They also provide support in advocating for the individual needs of children and families. If a patient or family feels powerless or mistreated by the system and have not been able to resolve their difficulties, they should speak to the treatment team or with a hospital employee who handles complaints. In these instances, an advocate may help to resolve issues. Advocacy organizations are often looking for concerned individuals who are willing to bring the needs of people with cancer to the attention of politicians, health care administrators and professionals. There are many opportunities for cancer survivors to serve on committees and express their concerns.
| Available for: | Patients, parents, siblings, organizations, parent support groups, and institutions that are affected by childhood cancer and have a defined need that requires lobbying at a government and/or institutional level. |
| Referral: | Any source. |
| Application: | No formal procedure. |
| Staffing: | Three full time staff and volunteers. |
| Location: | Family home, school, and community. |
| Decision Time: | 24 ? 48 hours. |
