From the Desk of … Jocelyn Lamont
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With snow in the forecast for later today and tonight, I thought it only timely to get moving on the November newsletter. Brrr… So hello everyone! I trust this finds you well and getting prepared for the holiday season. We are looking forward to seeing all our member families at the annual Christmas Party, being held once again this year at St. Elias on Ridgewood on Sunday December 7th. The party starts at 11:30, it’s a potluck lunch so we ask you to please not forget to bring your dish for the long buffet table that is set up and remember no nuts. Small change this year is that we are not asking you to rsvp and reply to us on your attendance … after 10 years I am confident we have a pretty good handle on numbers.
Ten years you say? That’s right. This fall we celebrate a 10 year milestone, celebrating the most recent era of Candlelighters existence. And we have much to celebrate about, being that we have experienced growth year over year and our program and service delivery is continually being enhanced to meet the ever emerging needs of families of children with cancer. With an average of 65 children being diagnosed annually right here, Candlelighters has come in contact with over 600 families since 1998. It is a real privilege to be part of these families as they journey with childhood cancer and I want to let you know that nothing feels better than reading the thank you notes sent to us at the office. They are truly appreciated!
Raising awareness about childhood cancer and the impact it has on families continues to be part of our mandate and this past September ~ Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Candlelighters was successful in reaching out into the community and neighbourhoods, and I sincerely thank all who assisted and supported our efforts.
Candlelighters distributed 2000 gold ribbon lapel pins throughout our family membership, where parents and children across our region shared them with neighbours, classmates, colleagues, friends and family. Another 400 pins were handed out at various events that took place across the month. The Liberal Party of Ontario held its Annual General Meeting in Ottawa this past summer in June. Part of each delegate’s registration kit (1500 delegates) was a gold ribbon lapel pin, with the accompanying card about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Candlelighters.
Wednesday September 10th
Childhood Cancer Awareness Day – City of Ottawa
Mayor O’Brien declared Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in the City of Ottawa. The Mayor then presented a framed proclamation to Ms. Jocelyn Lamont, Executive Director, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Program. Please follow the following link to see the webcast of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day Proclamation in Ottawa (http://www.ottawa.ca/online_services/council_vod/20080910/index_en.html)
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Friday September 19th
Community Partnership Launch – Canadian Blood Services
Candlelighters and Canadian Blood Services hosted a media event announcing our partnership and commitment to working together in our community to raise awareness and understanding of our individual organizational needs how two organizations can effectively promote each other for everyone’s benefit, especially the children.
Saturday September 20th
Wellness Workshop
This workshop was open to parents, some of whom attended. Candlelighters is currently exploring providing a similar workshop on a smaller scale but regular basis at the hospital for in–patient parents.
Saturday September 20th
Dillabough Golf Tournament – Renfrew Golf Club
This 6th annual event was part of our inaugural awareness month activities. Hosted by the Dillabough family, this event engages an entire community and garners much support of Candlelighters and awareness about children with cancer.
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Tuesday September 23rd
Candlelighters at Queens Park
Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa–Centre, rose in the provincial legislature at Queen’s Park to give remarks about Candlelighters. (These remarks will be posted on our website. Click here to view the remarks in pdf). At the end of the day’s sitting, Mr. Naqvi hosted an MPP reception in honor of September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, giving Candlelighters an opportunity to meet face to face with MPP’s and staff from across the province, introduce them to our organization and reinforce our relationship with POGO.
Saturday September 27th
Kingsway Arms Retirement Residences
Candlelighters’ community partnership with the Kingsway Arms Retirement residences is in its third year. To work with us in raising awareness, they have changed the dates of some of their activities to coordinate with September and our efforts to raise awareness.