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Candlelighters of the Inland Northwest

CANDLELIGHTERS FIRST-EVER

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS WALK

 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we are kicking it off with a grassroots walk initiated by Shelly Schneider - mom of childhood cancer survivor Clayton Schneider (pictured at left).

 

When asked why Shelly wanted to organize this walk, she said, "We are doing this to let people see that this horrible disease can attack ANY of our kids!  It doesn't matter where they come from or how much money the family makes... No one is exempt.  If we bring awareness, then maybe, just maybe, we can find a cure for our kids and we won't lose any more of them!"

 

 

The walk is August 28th at Medical Lake Waterfront Park on a paved walking trail - stroller and wheelchair accessible. Medical Lake Mayor John Higgins will open the walk. Click here for your official entry form.


Please join us - we need you to make this a success.

REGISTER BY JULY 28 TO GUARANTEE T-SHIRT


Sponsorship opportunities still available by contacting Shelly Schneider.

 

Thank you to sponsors Inland Imaging and the Reiber Family.

In this issue:
IN THIS ISSUE

From the Director

Donate On-Line HERE

Candlelighters Says Goodbye to Karen Gordon

Josh Ashby Memorial Shoot

Local Author Tells Story to Help Others

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

Extending our Hand to New Families

Inland Empire Motorcycle Coalition Ride for Kids with Cancer

In Remembrance

In Memory of Gregory Hall

Mark Your Calendars

Families enjoyed River Rafting with Wiley E Waters

Deer Park Ladies Benefit Golf Tournament a Huge Success

2010 Washington State Karate Championships

American Childhood Cancer Organization

FROM THE DIRECTOR

From the Director

As I look out the window at sparse fluffy white clouds suspended motionless in a clear blue sky, it is easy believe that all is as it should be.

 

Those clouds are not merely a “visible mass of droplets of water suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth” but rather they are a sculpture placed in the heavens by a grand designer. On the good days, it is easy to believe this.

 

On the days when those clouds form into a funnel and rip apart everything in their path, it is hard to believe that all is as it should be. It is easier to believe that the grand designer either made an awful mistake or is simply not there.

 

Making peace with this world means accepting it without our judgments. It means understanding that the way we see the world is dependent upon where we are in it. The world looks very different to us at different times in our lives. Making even a small shift in the way we think can create a large shift in our perception. Suddenly, we are in a completely different world.

 

Recently I sat at the edge of the Spokane River and watched the sun set. The reflection of the light hit the water more fully near the shore with lines of sparkles coming in and out of view as it reached angularly across the river to the far shore. But close to where I was sitting – my vantage point – it created a shimmering oval taking shape and losing shape – forming and reforming – like a light being that was here for an instant and then transformed into something else. Light and water coming together and creating something that lives briefly in one moment in time – to be gone with the setting sun and flowing river – never to appear again in the exact same configuration.

 

This memory comes back to me as I reflect upon the difficult days of childhood cancer with the memory of a child’s funeral still very much in the forefront of my mind.

 

Please join us. Get involved. Make a difference. Kids can’t fight cancer alone.

Donate On-Line HERE

Did you know that you can write in Candlelighters of the Inland Northwest as part of your United Way Giving?

 

We are a Combined Fund Charity.

 

Shop in Your Pajamas and Earn Money for Candlelighters

 


Check out our website to learn how to benefit Candlelighters through IGive, GoodSearch and EBAY too!

Candlelighters Says Goodbye to Karen Gordon

Karen Gordon, pediatric oncology social worker, takes a job at Seattle Children's Hospital.

 

We wish Karen and her family well as they relocate to the Seattle area.


more.....

Josh Ashby Memorial Shoot

Join us on Sunday, August 15th for the 4th Annual Josh Ashby Memorial Shoot. This fun event is organized by Rhonda Harvitt as a way to honor her son Josh who passed away in 2000 and to help all children in the Inland Northwest who have cancer.

Rhonda began her efforts in 2001 with the Josh Ashby Demolition Derby and continued that for seven years raising over $20,000.00. The shoot, begun in 2007, has raised nearly $11,000.00.

Josh Ashby was diagnosed at the age of 14 more.....

Local Author Tells Story to Help Others

Sharing her story of loss, Sandy Brosam wants to help others.

 

Her book, Becoming Bigger than Our Pain, is a guide to help others who are dealing with a life threatening situation or the death of a loved one.

 

Sandy shares her personal experience of losing two children with honesty and candor. In her own voice, she shares what she found helpful during those difficult times and what she found that was not helpful – and sometimes even hurtful.

 

She also wants to give back to the organizations that have helped her along her journey.  Candlelighters is one of those organizations.  You can purchase Sandy’s book and help Candlelighters at the same time by using this link: Becoming Bigger that Our Pain. Sandy will donate $5.00 to Candlelighters for books purchased through this page.

 

Candlelighters also has a copy of the book for loan to members.

VOLUNTEEER OPPORTUNITIES

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

NEW FAMILIES

Extending our Hand to New Families

Michael was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor in June. Michael likes Mickey Mouse, Diego, and the movie Cars. He also enjoys being outside and playing whenever he can. Michael is four years old and lives in Missoula, Montana with his parents JJ and Michelle.

 

Six-year-old Evan was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Evan is from Whitefish, Montana where he lives with his parents, Joseph and Pamela. Evan likes Bugs Bunny and The Tasmanian Devil. His favorite color is Orange and he is a fan of Baseball.

 

Tyler was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Tyler will be celebrating his fourteenth birthday in August. He likes to play video games on his PSP. Tyler lives in Stevensville, Montana with his parents Josh and Jenny, and his two brothers Troy and TJ.

 

Six year old Tylynn was diagnosed with T-Cell Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in May. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. She also likes playing with Barbie’s, Polly Pockets, painting, coloring, and drawing. She lives with her mom and dad, Tiffany and Tyrone, in Newport. She has two brothers Addison and Sylis and one sister Jocelyn.

 

Madison was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome resulting from tumors.  She is five years old. Madison likes puzzles, arts and crafts and playing on her Nintendo. Her favorite color is purple. Madison lives with her parents John and Cynthia in Coeur d’ Alene. She has three sisters Jessica, Katelyn and Lauren.

 

Katie has been a member of Candlelighters for a few years now, but recently relapsed with ALL this past June. Katie’s favorite color is pink, she likes playing outside and looking for bugs, as well as swimming whenever she has the chance. Katie lives with her mom and dad, Russell and Jessica in Lenore, ID. Katie has a brother, Tyler.

 

Wesley is a cancer survivor who recently joined Candlelighters. Wesley lives in Spokane with his grandmother, Mona and brother Blaine. He enjoys Frisbee and bicycling.

Inland Empire Motorcycle Coalition Ride for Kids with Cancer

This fundraiser is also a family event.

 

Families are invited to join us at the Eagles Lodge on Saturday July 24th to greet the riders as they come back.

 

There will be fun things for the kids - including parking lot rides on a motorcycle - and light refreshments. Please join us. Click here for more information to join the ride or the party afterwards!

In Remembrance

Sadly, we say goodbye to eight-year-old Anna. Anna leaves behind her parents, Joe and Polly and siblings, JJ. Katie, Maggie, Gus, Nate, and Abbie.

 

Bereavement Group

 

We have suspended our Bereavement Group until September 9, 2010. Please visit us then.

In Memory of Gregory Hall

 

Ironman Aaron Azevedo finished the Coeur d'Alene competition in memory of Gregory Hall and raised over $3600 to help kids with cancer and their families.

 

Thank you Aaron!

more....

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark Your Calendars

Families enjoyed River Rafting with Wiley E Waters

June 19, 2010

THANKS AND ACCOLADES

Deer Park Ladies Benefit Golf Tournament a Huge Success

The 13th Annual Deer Park Ladies Golf Club Benefit Tournament far surpassed their goal of $12,000.00 and raised $14,500.00. Special thanks to this year's golf club committee headed up by Deb Spiger and Pat Bates. Great job!

To date,$56,500.00 has been raised to provide direct assistance to children with cancer and their families. This fundraiser is crucial to ensuring kids with cancer and their families get the help they need.

more...

 

 

 

 


2010 Washington State Karate Championships

 

ADDITIONAL 2010 RING SPONSORS


ROTARY CLUB OF LIBERTY LAKE

INLAND IMAGING

 

Thank you for your support!

We apologize for the omission in our June newsletter.

 

American Childhood Cancer Organization

ACCO Announces

$25,000 Donation from the

Jel Sert Company's

'Click for a Cure' Campaign.

Candlelighters of the Inland Northwest • PO Box 8031 • Spokane • WA • 99203

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