Candlelighters’ services moving to CHEO, streamlining support for families

 

OTTAWA – May 31, 2022 – For more than 20 years, Candlelighters has provided unique programs and services to enrich the lives of children and their families who are coping with childhood cancer and who are receiving care at CHEO. To streamline the services offered to these families, and recognizing care goes beyond the walls of the hospital, as of June 1, 2022, CHEO will take on providing the programs and services currently offered by Candlelighters.

Current Candlelighters’ services include educational support programs for kids who are managing treatment and school at the same time, survivor support programs for kids who are finished treatment and living with their diagnosis, and family support programs to assist families coping with adjustments to their life and routine. In the agreement, current Candlelighters’ programs and services will continue to be provided by CHEO.

“Over the years, we increasingly saw that children and families coping with pediatric cancer would be better served if we combined our services with CHEO,” said Mark Gawargy, Chair, Candlelighters Board of Directors. “This move will provide kids and families with a single point of access to improved services in the National Capital Region.”

To ensure a smooth transition, both Candlelighters’ staff members — Jocelyn Lamont, Executive Director, and Jason Campbell, Programs and Public Relations Manager — will become CHEO employees as of June 1.

“Candlelighters has been a creative, visionary organization when it comes to supporting kids and their families,” said Tammy DeGiovanni, CHEO  Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive. “We are really excited to build on the Candlelighters’ legacy and look to expand their unique programming beyond oncology.”

On June 1, Candlelighters’ charitable funds will be transferred to the CHEO Foundation. After June 1, the CHEO Foundation will accept donations to support Candlelighters’ legacy programming. These programs will be administered by the CHEO Patient Experience Team.

Families wishing to contact CHEO about Candlelighters’ programs including parking, please contact Jocelyn Lamont ([email protected])

Media contact

Paddy Moore, CHEO

1-613-737-7600, ext. 3536 | [email protected]

Jocelyn Lamont, Candlelighters

1- 613 737 7600 ext 2327 |  [email protected]

About Candlelighters

Candlelighters is a local, not-for-profit organization that provide programs and services to young cancer patients, and their families, who are receiving treatment in the National Capital Region.

About CHEO

Dedicated to the best life for every child and youth, CHEO is a global leader in pediatric health care and research. Based in Ottawa, CHEO includes a hospital, children’s treatment centre, school and research institute, with satellite services located throughout Eastern Ontario. CHEO provides excellence in complex pediatric care, research and education. We are committed to partnering with families and the community to provide exceptional care — where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO is a partner of the Kids Come First Health Team, a network of partners in Eastern Ontario working to create a high quality, standardized and coordinated system for pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Every year, CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

Media contact

Paddy Moore, CHEO
o. 613-737-7600, ext. 3536 | [email protected]

Jocelyn Lamont, Candlelighters
o. 613-715-9157 | [email protected]

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