Candlelighters Programs and Services
Candlelighters has made efforts to identify and address the needs that affect nearly every diagnosed child and his/her family as they pass through the different stages of disease and treatment.
Through its many programs, Candlelighters provides assistance for quality-of-life issues that are a large part of the childhood cancer experience, including disease-specific education and emotional support. In certain circumstances, Candlelighters also offers families much-needed financial support. Some of the most vital services Candlelighters provide include:
Patient Advocacy: Candlelighters has a nurse case manager that will work with the parents of diagnosed children and health providers to make sure each family gets the best possible medical treatment. The Candlelighters nurse case manager helps families implement treatment plans and coordinate their insurance benefits.
Emergency Assistance: After a child is diagnosed and the course of treatment begins, often the result is long hospital stays for the child and missed workdays for one or both parents. Loss of work time, plus the costs of health care, frequently causes families financial distress. In these instances, Candlelighters helps lessen medical crisis burdens by helping families access resources to pay for living expenses such as rental or mortgage assistance, utilities and even food.
Travel for Treatment: While children typically receive treatment in Southern Nevada, it is not unusual for families and their children to travel to other states for specialized treatments and second opinions. When struggling with medical expenses, it can be extraordinarily difficult for families to afford travel. Candlelighters will arrange and pay for air and ground travel transportation, lodging, taxi vouchers, phone cards and additional money for meals. Support for local transportation to treatment is also available.
Family Counseling: A childhood cancer diagnosis and its aftermath can be devastating for the child and his/her entire family, but medical insurance does not always cover the costs of counseling. Candlelighters helps families cope with the psychological burdens by offering service and support for professional counseling services.
Survivor Scholarships: One of the greatest joys Candlelighters parents can experience is seeing their child survive cancer and go on to pursue opportunities in higher education. Candlelighters is proud to be able to fund scholarships to surviving children for college, trade and technical schools.
Other Programs & Services: Candlelighters provides other programs and that improve the quality of life for both the diagnosed child and his/her family Members. These services include:
- Meal tickets
- Hospital visits
- Camp programs
- Toy boxes for the out-patient clinics
- Parties and special events
- Financial aid guidance
- Family and individual counseling
- Much more
Candlelighters receives referrals from doctors, nurses, family members, and those who care about these special children. Families can contact Candlelighters directly since services are open to all diagnosed children. There is no membership requirement or fee to receive Candlelighters’ services.
If you know of a child who has been diagnosed with or is being treated for cancer and is living in Southern Nevada, Candlelighters can help.