Financial Assistance
Families of children with cancer experience an immense financial burden. In its' 2003 Annual Report, POGO (the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) reported that the out-of-pocket costs faced by families of children with cancer is estimated to be approximately 1/3 of after tax income. Treatment for cancer in a child can come at a high price for families, as often their quality of life is compromised by the financial and socio- economic impacts that result from a child literally "fighting for their life" while enduring cancer treatment.
Candlelighters provides the following Financial Assistance programs:Patient Amenities
This program provides financial assistance to families in a crisis situation where other funds are not available.Parking Program
All member families are eligible for parking vouchers, once they have been referred into Candlelighters' membership. These vouchers are issued from the Candlelighters office and can be redeemed for either a Frequent User or a Monthly parking pass at the Parking/Security office at the Children's Hospital.Ottawa Senators Alumni Bursary
Candlelighters is very pleased to offer a bursary in the amount of $1,000.00 to a Candlelighters' member (meeting the eligibility criteria) in their academic pursuits of post-secondary education. Application deadlines are March 31st of each year; the applications are available on-line or through the Candlelighters office. Click here for more information and to download an application form.The Kathleen Elizabeth Ward Bursary
In early 2007, Candlelighters was contacted by Mr. E. Neville Ward. His mother, Kathleen Elizabeth Ward had recently passed away, and he was interested in honoring her in a manner that would be reflective of this compassionate woman. Throughout her full and vibrant life, Kathleen Elizabeth Ward contributed to educational initiatives and to a variety of children’s causes. Mr. Ward expressed an interest in honoring his mother by supporting children in the Ottawa region, and integrating some educational aspect into the initiative. The result is the Kathleen Elizabeth Ward Bursary for siblings of children with cancer. Applications will be available on the Candlelighters web site by end of the year, and the deadline for submissions is March 31. Click here for more information and to download an application form.Tori's Helping Hand (www.torishelpinghand.com) is the newest component of Candlelighters' Patient Amenities Program, under the umbrella of Financial Assistance.
Tori's Helping Hand is designed to specifically provide funding and financial assistance to families of children who are in the palliative stages of their cancer.Tori's Helping Hand is named after Tori Carswell who died of a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma in January 2004. Tori's parents, Kim and Paul were very fortunate to have funds raised by our friends, family and the community of Stittsville which enabled them to give Tori some special moments during her last weeks and days with us. This inspired them to set up Tori's Helping Hand so that other palliative care oncology children could do the same. Kim and Paul also host an annual golf tournament in Tori's memory.
