My nephew Trey was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma in November 2006. In 2007, his parents took him to New York, where Dr. LaQuaglia was able to successfully remove the tumor. He still has to go to NYC for scans every 3 months, and it was through his website that I found out about this next organization, Candlelighters, NYC.Candlelighters, NYC is an organization that seeks to help connect families who are dealing with the same diagnosis in a child, that of cancer. They believe that families shouldn’t have to go through something like this alone but with a network of support and friends to help carry them through. As Barbara Zobian, the President of Candlelighters, puts it, There is no one who can offer better advice and support than a Mom who “really knows what another Mom is going through and has been there before.” Candlelighters helps to give families education, fun events, and memories that they can carry with them through their child’s illness.Families who are in New York City or families who come there for treatment are all touched by the work of Candlelighters, NYC. Tons of photos are taken of the families, and Barbara is able to print these out and provide them to each family. When a child is an inpatient in the hospital, especially if that child is in intensive care, Barbara makes a special effort to print larger photos of the kids, as she wants the doctors and nurses treating the children to know the REAL KID, not just the way they look now in the intensive care unit, very often, bloated and unconscious.

Barbara also has this to say….very inspirational: These kids are so amazing and have soooo much life in them. They don’t vex and worry about their treatment like we do. If we, as adults are having a procedure, we worry for days before, but the kids just go, get treated ( and yes, sometimes it is very painful) then come back and play and smile.We have so much to learn from these heroes.
Candlighters, NYC offers kids and families the opportunity to get out of their everyday, normal environment and enjoy fun times together, making memories all along the way. They go on frequent outings to FAO Schwarz and Bloomingdales for parties.

The kids are able to just enjoy being kids, dancing and playing on the Big Piano at FAO Schwarz or visiting Santa at Bloomingdales.

Just from seeing Trey’s experience, his whole family’s experience through his illness, I can attest to this fact: Cancer does not just affect the child who has it, it is a disease that affects and changes the whole family’s life. It’s a disease that affects so many today, gripping more and more younger children/young adults. These families are given the love and support and prayers that they so desperately need through Candlelighters, NYC.

You can help to make this organization’s programs and events possible by making a donation to Candlelighters, NYC. You can also see more photos on their website. If you’re a family in NYC dealing with childhood cancer, fill out the form to become a member.

Candlelighters, NYC truly shines a light to families in their darkest of times…..