Candlelighters Simcoe, Parents of Children with Cancer

Happy St Patrick’s DayHappy St Patrick’s Day

Candlelighters Simcoe is celebrating 31 years of helping families with a child in cancer treatment!Candlelighters Simcoe is celebrating 31 years of helping families with a child in cancer treatment!

Today is International Childhood Cancer Day. Meet Lucas. My son Lucas was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in October 2018 at 12 years old. He started having excruciating headaches that were becoming more frequent over a span of a few months. Some days he was seeing double. We attributed it to his screen time, not thinking it was anything serious at all. When symptoms increased and he was sent home from school because of it we decided to go to Sick Kids to figure out wh...at was going on. It was there we learned our son had cancer. Non Geminoma Germ Cell Tumour near his pineal gland. He immediately started Chemotherapy treatment. There wasn’t any time to absorb what was happening. They tell you kids handle chemo well. Lucas can attest that is incorrect. He was so violently sick with each dose he received. He lost his hair a few weeks after treatment started. He lost so much weight he almost needed a feeding tube. Lucas barely ate each time he went into hospital for his treatment. His tumour didn’t respond well to chemotherapy so the next step was surgery. I remember signing the forms that clearly stated all the risks of surgery including stroke, bleeding, and death. That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. He made it through his 8.5 hour surgery. Recovery took quite some time. We waited patiently for him to gain his sight back. During that time Lucas started radiation which took place at Princess Margaret. We went 5 days a week for 6.5 weeks. Lucas rang the gong his final day! It’s been almost 2 years since treatment. I’d like to say it’s all behind us but that would be incorrect. Cancer diagnosis comes with a lifetime of challenges and side effects which we continue to work through. We are beyond grateful for the amazing team Lucas has behind him, and the incredible talent they have. If it wasn’t for them our son may not be here today. See more

Join this information session tonight!

Imagine - your child survives cancer, but is bullied at school for being different, slower moving, having an IEP. We need to do better at educating our youth to be inclusive.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer the entire family is affected. Often one parent must stop working to provide care.

Did you know Candlelighters Simcoe relies entirely on community and individual donations...

Looking for ways to help local children with cancer? Consider a donation to one of our programs.Looking for ways to help local children with cancer? Consider a donation to one of our programs.

Happy holidays!