Student Project Honors Annah and benefits all Inland NW children with cancer

Michelle Johnson wanted her senior project to make a difference in the community.

Her cousin, Annah, passed away from leukemia in September of 2008 and Michelle was deeply touched by the support her aunt received from American Childhood Cancer Org Inland NW.

To honor her memory, Michelle instituted a coin drive as a fundraising project at Deer Park High School to benefit other local children with cancer and their families.

She challenged classes to compete and the winning class was treated to a root-beer float party. Michelle raised $745.97! Thanks Michelle.

Annah Ward 2006 - 2008

Cancer Diet Survey

REMINDER:

If you have not completed the Cancer Diet Survey yet, there is still time. The survey is scheduled to close at the end of the year.

Please pass along to anyone you know who has cancer, knows someone who has cancer, or is a parent of a child with cancer.

Calendar

Parent Support Group - the third Thursday of the month at SHCH.

Bereavement Group - the second Thursday of the month

Hospital Lunch - last Thursday of the month at SHCH

General Meetings - all are welcome

Extending our Hand to New Families

Fourteen year old Justin was diagnosed with ALL in November 2010. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, motorcycle riding and biking. Justin lives in Post Falls with his mom Deborah.

Francisco is six years old and was diagnosed with cancer. He likes playing with his friends and family, and watching cartoons. Francisco has one brother Yancarlos and lives with his mom and dad, Francisco and Rosario in Pasco, WA.

Ewan was recently diagnosed with a Brain Tumor. Ewan is one and a half years old. He likes dogs, trucks, and bubbles. His favorite thing to do is play with his doggies. Ewan lives with his mom, Melissa and dad, Rod here in Spokane.

Alexander recently came over from Seattle. He was diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma last spring. His favorite color is purple and he likes playing his X-Box 360. Alexander lives in Kirkland with his parents Shawn and Terri.

Robin is fifteen years old. She lives in Montana with her family, Jeff and Jane. She likes scrapbooking, computer games and board games. Her favorite color is yellow. Robin was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma this past summer.

One year old Braylin just transferred to SHCH from Portland this December. Braylin was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma in September of 2009. He likes his toy cars and ball. He lives in Montana with his mom and dad, Dan and Heather and two siblings Shayna and Brindan.

Twelve-year-old Sara was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in May. She lives with her sister Leah and parents Do and Scott in Sandpoint.

In Loving Memory

Merete Larson passed away on December 1 at 15 years of age after struggling with brain cancer since she was 2 1/2 years old. Merete never missed an opportunity to visit the Candlelighters office on her many hospital visits. Her smiling face will be missed very much. Our thoughts are with her parents, Cal and Amy, brother Jacob, and sister Julia.  

Our next bereavement parent group will be January 13, 2011

Teen crafts decorative pouches for new family Care Bags

Thanks to Megan Pearce for hand crafting zippered pouches for the new families' Care Bags. Our Care Bags include hospital essential items such as: hand sanitizer, q-tips, pill holders, and much more. 

Now they will receive those items in a reusable hand-crafted zippered pouch. Megan delivered 25 of the bags to our Christmas party and is committed to ensuring all new families diagnosed in 2011 will receive one.

The bags have been an intensive labor of love and we are so thankful!

Happy Holidays

This may be your first Holiday season living with childhood cancer, or your first year living without your child, or it may be many years since first hearing those fateful words. Our wish is to see childhood cancer eradicated. Until then, know that you are not alone.