Each year, over 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer. When a child is diagnosed, lives are turned upside down instantly: not just for the child but the entire family. Getting well again can be a long and challenging journey, emotionally, physically, and financially.
Supporting children and families throughout that journey is why our charity, Candlelighters, was formed more than 40 years ago. Our mission is to bring light to every family affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire by providing emotional, practical and financial support, as well as bringing hope, by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer.
Supporting the wards and the Oncology and Haematology clinic is a big part of Candlelighters’ work. Some families may be in hospital for a significant amount of time and we want to make that difficult time a little easier. We fund a number of roles to support families such as Play Leaders who can help to distract children during their stay and help them to understand more about their treatment. These roles among many others are roles Candlelighters fund to make care and support for children fighting children’s cancer across Yorkshire some of the best in the country.
As well as funding roles we also invest heavily in equipment, such as play equipment and IT equipment to keep families connected to the outside world. We fund media workshops so children can get creative even if they are unable to get to school. Our support is there to make a really difficult time in the hospital that bit easier.
The Candlelighters Children’s Cancer Research Laboratory opened in 1992, as a result of a huge five-year fundraising campaign. Led by Professor Sue Burchill, the laboratory now enjoys an international reputation, particularly for research into Ewing sarcoma and neuroblastoma. It also attracts funding from other research bodies. In addition to our Candlelighters Children’s Cancer Research Laboratory in Leeds, we also help fund external research projects across Yorkshire.
