LIGHTING THE WAY FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCER

About Us

Candlelighters Simcoe is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to provide support services to families impacted by childhood cancer in Simcoe County and the surrounding area. Our programs are designed to address the complex emotional, academic, financial, and practical challenges associated with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, easing the burden of children and their families.

Support
Services

Candlelighters Simcoe offers a variety of support services to families impacted by childhood cancer, including a family care package program, monthly support group meetings, and art therapy programs for children. 

FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE

Families of children with cancer experience an immense financial burden. To offset this, we offer a number of financial assistance programs, including our Christmas program, parking pass program, and emergency relief fund. 

SCHOOL
SUPPORT

Our school support program has been developed to support children with cancer, as well as their, siblings in the classroom. 

COMMUNITY
RESOURCES

Candlelighters Simcoe has partnered with a variety of wonderful organizations in the Simcoe County area. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of our community partners and sponsors. 

Help us in helping local families.

Why We Exist

Candlelighters Simcoe is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to provide support services to families impacted by childhood cancer in Simcoe County and the surrounding area. Our programs are designed to address the complex emotional, academic, financial, and practical challenges associated with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, easing the burden of children and their families.

What makes us unique

Candlelighters Simcoe was founded in 1990 by the parent of a childhood cancer patient. We are a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that provides programs and services for pediatric cancer patients residing in Simcoe County and surrounding areas, and to those they depend on for strength and support. Our programs and services are aimed at the needs of the entire family, and deal mainly with alleviating both the emotional and financial stress that families of children with cancer deal with on a daily basis. Our programs are facilitated by parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.

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Cost of treatment

Over 80% of families’ total cost of illness is associated with parents forgoing paid employment in order to provide care.

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Financial Insecurity

As a result, one third of families experience housing, energy, or food insecurity within six months of diagnosis.

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Survivorship

Overall, more than 80% of paediatric cancer patients will survive their illness.

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Ongoing Care

Over 60% of survivors face ongoing side effects, including neurocognitive impairments, sterility, or secondary cancers.

Our Events

Candlelighters Simcoe participates in a variety of events designed to fundraise, increase awareness, and provide community support for families impacted by childhood cancer.

Hear from our families...

The experiences I had while I was there as a seven-year-old helped to keep me strong and positive through some of the greatest ordeals in my treatment.

Art Therapy Alumnus

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Our journey through cancer has been very long and things have gotten tight. What you have given to us will go a long way.

Christmas Program Participant

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Knowing that others are there for us as we navigate our son’s cancer journey has been reassuring and has given us hope.

Support Group Parent

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The founder of Candlelighters Simcoe, Barbara Johnson worked as the Parent Liaison from the organization’s founding in February of 1990 through to her retirement in September of 2018. A Pediatric Occupational Therapist by profession, Barb is also a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, and an enthusiastic masters swimmer who hopes to enjoy many more cruises with her husband Al in their retirement.

Barbara Johnson

Founder

The founder of Candlelighters Simcoe, Barbara Johnson worked as the Parent Liaison from the organization’s founding in February of 1990 through to her retirement in September of 2018. A Pediatric Occupational Therapist by profession, Barb is also a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, and an enthusiastic masters swimmer who hopes to enjoy many more cruises with her husband Al in their retirement.

Allan is a proud parent to three great kids and three fun active grandchildren. His most amazing and challenging experience has been accompanying his wife Barb through their life journey of cancer with their son Trevor, who is a two-time childhood cancer survivor.

Allan Johnson

Chair

Allan is a proud parent to three great kids and three fun active grandchildren. His most amazing and challenging experience has been accompanying his wife Barb through their life journey of cancer with their son Trevor, who is a two-time childhood cancer survivor.

Mike is the father of two inquisitive young boys. He is an educator, enjoys sports and classic cars. Candlelighters has supported his family through his eldest son’s oncology journey.

Michael McDonald

Director

Mike is the father of two inquisitive young boys. He is an educator, enjoys sports and classic cars. Candlelighters has supported his family through his eldest son’s oncology journey.

Angela is a wife and mother to two boys. Her family’s commitment to Candlelighters was founded when her oldest son Riley was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 6 and after 3 years of treatment, he is now a cancer survivor. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and reading.

Angela Kuypers

Director

Angela is a wife and mother to two boys. Her family’s commitment to Candlelighters was founded when her oldest son Riley was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 6 and after 3 years of treatment, he is now a cancer survivor. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and reading.

Adam is a before and after school teacher. He is a childhood cancer survivor and dedicated volunteer. He enjoys spending time with family especially his niece and nephews.

Adam Mason

Director

Adam is a before and after school teacher. He is a childhood cancer survivor and dedicated volunteer. He enjoys spending time with family especially his niece and nephews.

Pamela Watt has always wanted to be involved with children. She is a graduate of a prestigious Nanny College in England and after a few years working she went into nursing. She has her BScN and MHSc and has been at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for most of her nursing career. She has worked on the oncology unit and presently is a Charge Nurse in the PICU at SickKids. She also worked in London England for a couple of years in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU at the Royal Brompton Hospital in central London England. She has volunteered at Camp Oochigeas, which is now Camp Fire Circle for over 25 years in various capacities as Nurse and a counsellor. Her two loves of nursing are pediatric and cardiac ICU and pediatric oncology. She has been involved with Candlelighters Simcoe since almost the beginning as met Barb Johnson and her son on the oncology unit at SickKids. She has volunteered as a teen group leader and is enjoying the challenges and achievements on the board of directors of Candlelighters Simcoe.
Pam also was the main caregiver for her parents in their Senior years living at home with them. When Pam isn’t working she loves two play with her two smart parson jack Russell’s, she loves to ski, canoe, camping, play her flute, sing in her church choir, work in her gardens, build things around the house, and travel.

Pam Watt

Director

Pamela Watt has always wanted to be involved with children. She is a graduate of a prestigious Nanny College in England and after a few years working she went into nursing. She has her BScN and MHSc and has been at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) for most of her nursing career. She has worked on the oncology unit and presently is a Charge Nurse in the PICU at SickKids. She also worked in London England for a couple of years in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU at the Royal Brompton Hospital in central London England. She has volunteered at Camp Oochigeas, which is now Camp Fire Circle for over 25 years in various capacities as Nurse and a counsellor. Her two loves of nursing are pediatric and cardiac ICU and pediatric oncology. She has been involved with Candlelighters Simcoe since almost the beginning as met Barb Johnson and her son on the oncology unit at SickKids. She has volunteered as a teen group leader and is enjoying the challenges and achievements on the board of directors of Candlelighters Simcoe.
Pam also was the main caregiver for her parents in their Senior years living at home with them. When Pam isn’t working she loves two play with her two smart parson jack Russell’s, she loves to ski, canoe, camping, play her flute, sing in her church choir, work in her gardens, build things around the house, and travel.

Mark and his wife Liz are proud parents of Ava, a two time cancer survivor who taught them not to get worked up about the small stuff in life .When Mark’s not working in Real Estate you can usually find him working on his farm in Mono Township or at a horse show cheering on Ava and occasionally, if he’s been real good, on the golf course.

Mark Campbell

Director

Mark and his wife Liz are proud parents of Ava, a two time cancer survivor who taught them not to get worked up about the small stuff in life .When Mark’s not working in Real Estate you can usually find him working on his farm in Mono Township or at a horse show cheering on Ava and occasionally, if he’s been real good, on the golf course.

My son is a 2 time cancer and Stem Cell Transplant survivor. During our journey, Candlelighters supported us along the way. It made a big difference having an organization know what you are going through. My husband, son and daughter truly benefitted from their support. In 2019, I became the Administrator for Candlelighters, along with my full time career as a Insurance Broker. In my off time, I enjoy outdoor activities like hikes, walks with my dog, snowshoeing and spending time with friends and family.

Sarah Parsons

Administrator

My son is a 2 time cancer and Stem Cell Transplant survivor. During our journey, Candlelighters supported us along the way. It made a big difference having an organization know what you are going through. My husband, son and daughter truly benefitted from their support. In 2019, I became the Administrator for Candlelighters, along with my full time career as a Insurance Broker. In my off time, I enjoy outdoor activities like hikes, walks with my dog, snowshoeing and spending time with friends and family.

Lorrainne is the proud mother of 3 amazing boys, Cameron, Connor and Cole. She is a devoted wife to her husband Stan. She works as a Registered Nurse on an acute medical floor. Her family became involved with Candlelighters when her son Connor was diagnosed with ALL at 21 months, in 2009 and required a bone marrow transplant in 2011 due to a relapse while still on treatment. Connor is doing well, but continues to deal with late effects from chemotherapy and radiation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her boys’ sports.

Lorrainne DeSousa

Parent Liaison

Lorrainne is the proud mother of 3 amazing boys, Cameron, Connor and Cole. She is a devoted wife to her husband Stan. She works as a Registered Nurse on an acute medical floor. Her family became involved with Candlelighters when her son Connor was diagnosed with ALL at 21 months, in 2009 and required a bone marrow transplant in 2011 due to a relapse while still on treatment. Connor is doing well, but continues to deal with late effects from chemotherapy and radiation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her boys’ sports.

Erin Thatcher

Director

I am a proud mom of 6 kids. My youngest daughter is a childhood cancer survivor. During her treatment, I realized there were many gaps in family support. This led me to join the board at Candlelighters Simcoe in 2005, as they offered much support for our entire family. I have held many roles at the organization over the years, I am currently a Parent Support Liaison, and involved with fundraising. Inspired by my daughter I returned to school and became a nurse in 2015. I currently work as a Cancer and Palliative nurse. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family. I enjoy baseball and golf and am an avid reader.

Cheryl Gotthelf

Parent Liaison

I am a proud mom of 6 kids. My youngest daughter is a childhood cancer survivor. During her treatment, I realized there were many gaps in family support. This led me to join the board at Candlelighters Simcoe in 2005, as they offered much support for our entire family. I have held many roles at the organization over the years, I am currently a Parent Support Liaison, and involved with fundraising. Inspired by my daughter I returned to school and became a nurse in 2015. I currently work as a Cancer and Palliative nurse. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family. I enjoy baseball and golf and am an avid reader.

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