Childhood Cancer Family Alliance

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, Inc.
Candlelighters CCFA
8323 Southwest Freeway, Suite 435
Houston, Texas 77074
Sugar Land, TX
Permit No. 328
Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Candlelighters mission is to
provide emotional, educational
and practical support to children
with cancer and their families.
In addition, Candlelighters
desires to promote childhood
cancer awareness and the need
for childhood cancer education
and research in the
Houston community.
We Are On The Web!
see us at:
www.candle.org
Vol. 19 No. 2 Bulletin Board...Pg. 2 Lights of Courage Luncheon..Pg. 3
Summer 2011 Margarita Taste Off...Pg. 8 Golf Tournament..........Pg. 9
Strike Out Cancer..........Pg. 10 Fun Walk...........Pg. 11
and so much more...
2011 Lights of Courage Luncheon
Be a Super Hero!
Walk for the children who have been Super Brave & Super Strong:
Candlelighters Fun Walk
and on Facebook
September 10, 2011
Candlelighters Houston More Information At www.candle.org
A Special Thank You To Southeast Media
For Producing Our Newsletter
http://www.southeastmediatexas.com/
Candlelighters began in 1980 with two parent support groups from the Medical Center: one at Texas Children’s Cancer Center and one at MD Anderson
Cancer Center. The Texas Children’s Hospital group sought formal incorporation, and in 1992 Candlelighters was legally formed. In the fall of 1992
they invited the MD Anderson Parent Group to join them and the two organizations merged into one. The Parent Consultant Program was developed to
directly meet the needs of families at the treatment centers and to inform them of potential resources. Our programs and services extend beyond the
hospital walls with our Family Camp, Adopt-A-Family, Fall Festival, Candlelighters Newsletter and other special events. Over the years, we have learned
how critically valuable it is for our Parent Consultants to be able to personally hand parents of children with cancer practical assistance such as a meal
pass, parking assistance or gas card. It is our greatest honor and privilege to bring this type of comfort and hope to childhood cancer families.
how Grant was diagnosed, his treatment and the ups
and downs of dealing with childhood cancer. Her
heartfelt words told how the financial, emotional and
educational needs of parents, children and siblings
are met by Candlelighters. Many thanks to our Host
Committee and our Advisory Board, led by
Advisory Board co-chairs Linda Evans and Lisa
O’Leary, for their commitment to the Candlelighters
Over 500 guests gathered at River Oaks mission - to provide emotional, educational, and practiCountry Club for the Lights of Courage Luncheon cal support to children with cancer and their families.
on April 19th. The sold out luncheon honors children with cancer and their families who represent all the As guests arrived they sipped on Bellinis and shopped
thousands of children with cancer and are our lights at the fourteen boutique shops filled with stationery,
of courage and inspiration. Their inspiring stories of jewelry, clothing, food and decorating accessocourage and hope are a highlight of the annual event. ries. Featured stores included: Andrea Montgomery,
B Vogt, M. D. Anderson Children’s Art Project,
Guest speaker Susan Baker moved the audience Chocolate Pizazz, Gigi and Company, Hard Tail, Itsy
with the story of her own personal journey with Bitsy Boutique, Little Cupcakes, Molasses Candy,
cancer, her life experiences and her resilient spirit. MUSE, Nest, Passing It On, a novel by Susan Baker,
The luncheon was led by our wonderful Touch of Sass and Vincent Ford. Our thanks to these shops
Co-Chairs Mary Ellen Bos, Margot Hogan, Aynsley who donated 20% of sales in support of the luncheon.
Letzerich, Lizzy Perrin and Lorraine Wise, and raised
more than $217,000 for the many families we serve.
Louise Parsley, Candlelighters Advisory Board
Member was this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies. Dr.
ZoAnn Dreyer Candlelighters Board Member and Medical
Director for the Long Term Survivor Clinic at Texas
Children’s Cancer Center and Dr. Eugenie Kleinerman,
Professor and Head of the Division of Pediatrics at The
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,
presented our Lights of Courage awards at the
luncheon. Melanie McTaggart, mom to Grant, spoke on the
tremendous emotional and financial burden of having
a child with cancer. Melanie spoke on behalf of all the
children and their parents, telling her own story of
Dr. Dreyer and Dr. Kleinerman presented our 2011
Honorees, the highlight of the luncheon each year.
Honorees for the 2011 luncheon were:
Jameisha Brown - Cancer Survivor Honoree
Katelyn and Cody Filer - Sibling Honorees
Evelyn Piñeda - In Loving Memory Honoree
Ben Campbell - On Treatment Honoree
Mark your calendars for next year’s Lights of Courage
Luncheon on April 19, 2012. The 2012 chairs, Kayla
Carter, Jenna Jackson Jodi Lou, Jenny Moore, Jess
Rogers, Stephanie Wall, and Tiffany Wong have already
begun planning and you will not want to miss this event!
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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Summer 2011
Candlelighters CCFA
Upcoming Events
Linda Evans - Advisory Board Co-Chair
Lisa O’Leary - Advisory Board Co-Chair
Jeanine Anderson, Barbara Berard, Louise Bland, Sally
Bosse, Loretta Bueso, Sylvie Crum, Shelley Gatlin, Dory
Gordon, Cynthia Guill, Mary Helmreich, Becky Hobson,
Kate Hughes, Suzie James, Peppi Lausen, Liz Loucks,
Kenny Matula, Jane McCarroll, Becky McCullough,
Kathy O’Neil, Anita O’Shaughnessy, Tami Owen, Luise
Parsley, Ben Pisklak, Sheryl Rapp, Dr. Shelia Rice,
Michele Stoll Mitchell, Joellen Snow,
Kay Watson, Lynn Wilson, Elynn Wulfe
Strike Out Kids Cancer
Saturday, August 27, 2011 • Baseball USA
Macy’s Shop For A Cause
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Candlelighters Fun Walk
Saturday, September 10, 2011 • Terry Hershey Park
Muse/Flemings Fashion Show
Thursday, September 15, 2011 • Fleming’s
Family Fall Festival
Sunday, October 23, 2011 • St. John’s School
Adopt-A-Family Program
October - December, 2011
Camp Cliff
October 7-9, 2011 • Camp For All
YPG Holiday Party
December 10, 2011
Advisory Board
Executive Officers
Jay Beasley - President
Lisa O’Leary - Vice President
Scott Newell - Treasurer
Mike Gilbert - Secretary
Board of Directors
Barbara Berard, Eddy Blanton, Sally Bosse,
Sheila Brown, Gerardo Camarillo,
Michael Conway, Dr. Donna Copeland,
Dr. ZoAnn E. Dreyer, Linda Evans,
Mary Helmreich, Becky Hobson,
Christy Jennings, Kay Kempken,
Dr. Patrick Zweidler-McKay, Alex Newton,
Kathy O’Neil, Gregg Parnell, Katie Stanton
Honorary Board Members
Stacy Crumley, Cindy Hamann,
Norma Johnson, James Luhn, Cindi Ditta
Priebe, Harvey Zinn, Jr.
Candlelighters Office
Gay Foust, Executive Director
email: gfoust@candle.org
Lynn Wheeler, Development Director
email: lwheeler@candle.org
Elizabeth Haines, Program Director
email: ehaines@candle.org
Andrea Works, Coordinator
email: aworks@candle.org
8323 Southwest Freeway, Suite 435
Houston, Texas 77074
(713) 270-4700 - Fax: (713) 270-9802
Men’s Support Group
Those Who Care For A Child With Cancer Often Need A Listening Ear
To Help Guide Them Through The Experience. Candlelighters Is Here.
Dads, Granddads, Uncles and Family Members Who
Have Been Affected By Childhood Cancer: Join Us
For Our Men’s Support Group With Complimentary
Dinner Generously Provided By Guadalajara
Guadalajara Restaurant Inner Loop
2925 Southwest Freeway
Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
Thursday, Sept. 22nd Monday, Dec. 12th
For More Information And To RSVP:
Call 713-270-4700 or Email: ehaines@candle.org
Parent Consultants
Texas Children’s Cancer Center
Office (832) 822-1415
Carol Benefield email: carolb@candle.org
Maria Pena email: mariap@candle.org
The Children’s Cancer Hospital
at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Office (713) 792-4891
Jaynie Hutchinson email: jaynieh@candle.org
Pager: (713) 606-5471
Roseanna Daly email: roseanna@candle.org
Pager: (713) 606-5358
Summer 2011
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Strike Out Kids Cancer
Saturday, August 27th at Baseball USA
For the baseball lover in every child – a once in a lifetime
chance to practice with a baseball legend. The Strike Out
Kids Cancer Baseball Tournament on Saturday, August 27th,
has 15 batting practices at Minute Maid with Phil Garner
before an Astros game this season for supporters to win. The
tournament is on Saturday the 27th with an entry fee of only
$300 a team (including the gate) at Baseball USA. Teams
and individuals can find registration information on the Nations Baseball web page Open Division for ages 7-14
http://www.nations-baseball.com/index.cfm/general/tournamentpage/tournamentid/5435. Even if your team cannot
play, they can still help the cause and win prizes. Coaches
can send their team roster with player email addresses or
individuals can sign up online under the register tab on www.
strikeoutkidscancer.org to create a personal fundraising
page on our website. Prizes include t-shirts, commemorative
pins, equipment bags, and of course the top 15 over $500
will win a once in a lifetime Minute Maid batting practice
with Phil Garner before one of the last home games of this
Astros season. We greatly appreciate your support.
For More Information:
Email: questions@strikeoutkidscancer.org
or Call: 832-594-5652
Summer 2011
Summer 2011
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Lights of Courage
Luncheon 2011
Page 3
Special Thanks To Our Generous Underwriters
Rodeo BBQ
Cookoff
Thank you to Planet Texas for hosting
273 Candlelighters family members
at the Candlelighters Rodeo Cook-off
event on Saturday, February 26th. Our
families filled 5 buses and 3 large cookoff tents! The families enjoyed a day of
fun and entertainment, as well as carnival tickets. Thank you to Ray Carter,
Marty Wells, Jim Petree and all of the
Planet Texas Cooking Team for sponsoring this wonderful event. Planet Texas
also sponsored carnival tickets for each
family to enjoy after the cook-off.
The Candlelighters recently lost a good
friend, Planet Texas co-founder Jeff
Primm. He passed away after a battle
with liver cancer. Jeff was a strong
supporter of Candlelighters and even
though he was very ill the last couple of
years, always made a point to be at the
cookoff when the busses rolled in. Jeff
loved the kids and will be missed.
Childhood Cancer Picnic
The Baytown Optimist Club and Civic Pride hosted
their annual childhood cancer picnic on Saturday,
June 4th. Candlelighters families enjoyed a fun day
of games, train rides, boat rides, water shows, clowns,
food and entertainment. Thank you to Judy Barrow
and her team for organizing this fun event!
Honors Sponsors:
Susan and James Baker
Nancy and Jacko Garrett
Klinka and John Lollar
Cockrell Family Fund
Christy and Webb Jennings
Katie and Bobby Stanton
Champion Sponsors:
Burguieres Family Foundation
Donna Chapman and Emily Van Houtan
Linda and Mark Evans
Lisa and Mike O’Leary
Kathy O’Neil and Phil Ferguson
Light Charitable Foundation
Kristi and John Schiller
John and Kathy Stanton
Virginia Watt
Special Thanks to:
Children’s Art Project
Children’s Cancer Hospital at UT MDA
Chocolate Pizazz
Roll With It Videography
Kelly Sklar
Que Imaging
Texas Children’s Hospital
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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Summer 2011
The Filer Family
2011 Lights of Courage Luncheon
Sibling Honorees
But rather than having childhood cancer destroy
their lives, Cody and Katelynn became thoughtful
and mature despite their young age. They never
once complained and both managed to keep their
grades up in school the entire year. They often
would have signs or handmade cards waiting
When their brother Cory was on treat- at home for Cory after an inpatient stay. Katement, Katelynn and Cody Filer could go days lynn really became a “little momma” to Cody.
with barely seeing their parents and rarely seeing their brother. Cory had been diagnosed Katelynn was the oldest, and she told her parwith Burkitt’s Lymphoma and his treatment ents not to worry about her. She would not
meant spending days and weeks in the hospital. stay out late on weekends, or drive recklessly in cars, or try drugs or alcohol. She had
All the days Cory was at the hospital were days learned from watching everything her brother
Katelynn and Cody did not have their mom and endured that life was too precious to waste.
dad close at home. They were not there to help
with homework or to take them to events at Katelynn is graduating from high school this
school. They learned to adapt and take on re- year and graduating from San Jacinto Colsponsibilities, helping at home so mom and dad lege with an associate degree at the same time.
could spend their energies on Cory’s treatment. She wants to be a nurse and one day work at
the Cancer Center at Texas Children’s HospiWatching their brother deal with cancer was tal and take care of children like her brother.
hard. It was especially hard when Cory would
come home from the hospital and feel worse than Cody is all sports – he lives for footwhen he went in. When Cory was home from ball, runs cross country and participates in
the hospital, they could not have friends over – BMX races. He plans to play professionthey had to be sure that Cory would not become al football and become a football coach.
sick. They spent Cory’s 11th birthday in the hospital mindful that they might not know where, If you ask Cory’s parents, they will tell you
or if, Cory would have another birthday. These that Katelynn and Cody do not even realare all things that most children do not have to ize how important their growing up so fast
think about, or should not have to think about, helped during Cory’s battle with cancer.
unless your sibling is facing childhood cancer.
Summer 2011
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
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Tee It Up!
2011 Golf Tournament
Benefiting Candlelighters
Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
The annual Tee it Up! Golf Tournament was held on Monday, May
16, 2011 at Sugarcreek Country Club. It was a beautiful day and our
golfers enjoyed the new course and the warmer weather! Over 200
golfers played in the tournament helping raise $68,000 for Candlelighters programs and services. A big thank you to Jay Beasley for
serving as our wonderful golf chair again this year. After a full day
of golf, players enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner, a live auction and
an awards presentation. The raffle and door prizes ensured that most
of the golfers went home with a prize! Raffle items included golf
packages, dining certificates, family fun and a grand raffle prize of
an iPad 2. A true highlight of the tournament was a speech from
one of our childhood cancer survivors, LeighAnna Hutchinson.
LeighAnna spoke about her own cancer journey and the help she and
her family have received from Candlelighters. In her own words,
she spoke of the many children who face childhood cancer and their
families, the many obstacles she has faced. LeighAnna is studying
to be a nurse and is a Candlelighters scholarship recipient. Thank
you to LeighAnna for sharing her words of courage and hope.
A special thank you to our hard-working and dedicated Golf
Committee. Members include: Brad Rushing, Cindy Hamann,
Christine Schmidt, David Sternbaum, Jessica Svetlick, Jennifer
Wilbur, Mike Gilbert, Rick Hutchinson, Sally Bosse, Shelley Elder,
Steve Wideman, Todd Haines, Trace Holcomb, Andy Wideman,
Rosie Kaplan, Donna Harvison, Jay Beasley, Craig Lurcott and Harvey Zinn for serving on the committee from Austin. These are the
“behind the scenes” people who make the tournament happen and
we are so grateful for their help.
Thanks to all of our sponsors for their support of the
2011 Tee It Up! Golf Tournament. We couldn’t have done the
golf tournament without your support.
Special Thanks To
All Of Our Generous Sponsors:
Title Sponsor - Coldwell Banker United Realtors
Ace Sponsors - The Scurlock Foundation
Texas American Title
Our Double Eagle Sponsors - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Jacko Garrett, Pisklak Orthodontist,
Katie & Bobby Stanton, Christy & Webb Jennings
Our In-Kind Sponsors Bacardi, Bearcom, Boner Beer, Coca-Cola,
Chick-Fil-A, Ditta Meat Food Service Co.,
Famous Grouse, The Greensheet, The Houston
Chronicle, Jim Petree, Kolache Factory,
Marc Vandermeer, Planet Texas, Silver Eagle
Distributors, Southeast Media
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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Summer 2011
Candlelighters 2011
Young Professionals Group
Summer 2011
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Page 5
Ben Campbell
2011 Lights of Courage Luncheon
On Treatment Honoree
Following chemotherapy, surgery, and
nine months in a wheelchair, Ben received
his first prosthetic leg in September 2009.
Then at his three months scans, a tumor was
discovered in his left lung. After surgery to remove his left lung, followed by chemotherapy,
Ben completed treatment in September 2010.
Ben has now had 6 months of clean scans!
Sombreros off to a great Taste-Off! We had an amazing Margarita Taste-Off event on Saturday, May
14th at Antique Bar in Houston. The 3rd annual YPG Candlelighters Margarita Taste-Off featured
Houston’s finest restaurants all competing to have their margarita named numero uno! Over 250
people came out to kick off the summer at this fun event.
Restaurant Sponsors /participants in the Margarita Taste-Off included: Armandos, Beaver’s,
El Tiempo Cantina, Maria Selma, Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, Taco Milagro, TILA’s Restaurante & Bar,
Xuco Xicana , and Yelapa Playa Mexicana. Congratulations to our first place winner Sylvia’s Enchilada
Kitchen. Our second place winner was El Tiempo Cantina and our two third place winners were TILA’s
Restaurante & Bar and Taco Milagro. Special thanks to Don Julio who graciously donated the tequila
for the event. Corporate Underwriters included: Andrews Kurth LLP, Bounce Energy, Antique, Belmont
Village at West University, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Cameron, CBRE Capital Markets, FirsTax, Smyser
Kaplan & Veselka LLP, and Whitney Bank.
The Candlelighters Young Professionals Group was created to support Candlelighters mission to provide emotional, educational and practical assistance to children with cancer and their families treated
at the Texas Medical Center and/or who reside in the 13 counties of the greater Houston area. The
YP group demonstrates their commitment through fundraising and volunteer activities while offering
members social and professional networking opportunities. Our heartfelt thanks to all who supported
and made this year’s Margarita Taste-Off such a successful event.
To see the event photos and find out more information on joining the Candlelighters
Young Professionals group or information on their upcoming events visit www.candle.org
or contact us at 713-270-4700 or ehaines@candle.org
Ben’s cancer journey has strengthened his family. One of the first steps in their journey was to
organize their friends and neighbors to support
Ben at the Candlelighters Fun Walk. For all those
who had asked “how can we help”, Ben’s friends
and family formed a walk team and walked
when Ben couldn’t. They have been the top
fundraising family team for three years in a row!
Ben continues to fight to keep his cancer at
bay and he continues to learn to adapt to life
as an amputee. While he lives every day with
a constant reminder of the cost of cancer,
he is full of the fun and life of any 11 year
old. Like most boys his age he loves to play
Ben’s cancer journey began in
Xbox 360, plays basketball with the neighSeptember 2008, at the age of 8. His parents
borhood boys, loves to fish and to play golf.
thought his complaints of leg pain were simply
growing pains. A trip to the orthopedic surgeon,
Ben speaks eloquently of how cancer is now a
multiple tests, and a bone biopsy confirmed that
part of who he is and who he will become. Ben’s
Ben had osteosarcoma. His parents didn’t know
cancer journey has taken many turns, but he has
what was worse, telling your child he has cancer
faced them all with a maturity beyond his years.
or having to tell him he will have to lose his leg.
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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Summer 2011
Summer 2011
Evelyn Pineda
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
Page 7
Jameisha Brown
2011 Lights of Courage Luncheon
In Loving Memory Honoree
2011 Lights of Courage Luncheon
Childhood Cancer Survivor Honoree
motivate others to discover
their hidden potential and divine purpose. Her commitment
to people of all ages is evident
in her community service projects and outreach endeavors.
Evelyn Pineda was born in
December 2004, a beautiful and healthy
baby. When she was three years old,
her parents noticed a lump. A CAT scan
revealed a tumor in her stomach, Embryonic
Rhabdomyosarcoma. After months of
treatment and surgery, they discovered that the tumor had grown back.
Even though she spent more and more
time at the hospital, Evelyn was always
smiling and full of joy. Evelyn wanted to
be a princess, and to her family and her
hospital family, she was a special princess.
She loved to wear her princess dresses
and crowns and could often be seen wearing them in clinic and on the hospital floors
In Christmas of 2009, Evelyn and her family
were able to share the holiday spirit thanks
to the Candlelighters Adopt A Family program. Several members of the Luncheon
host committee joined together and adopted Evelyn’s family. They gave Evelyn and
her family, not only presents and toys, but
the special gift of joy and a lasting holiday
memory. On December 26, 2009, after enjoying Christmas with her Adopt a Family
sponsors, and surrounded by her loving and
supportive family, Evelyn lost her battle with
childhood cancer at the age of 5 years old.
Evelyn
had
touched
many
lives
as she faced each day with courage and grace far beyond her years.
She definitely taught us that the smallest
warriors can possess the biggest hearts.
Jameisha
Brown started her childhood cancer journey at the age of 8 when
she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Burkitt’s
Lymphoma. Even at a young age, Jameisha
knew that she would not let cancer overshadow her enthusiasm and she was determined to pursue activities that would offer
her an outlet from her treatments. She became a prolific artist, using her art to express her feelings and emotions. Many of
her art pieces have been featured with the
M. D. Anderson Children’s Art Project.
During her treatment, Jameisha displayed
the same strength of spirit and the glowing
smile that are such a large part of who she
is today. Her own battles with childhood
cancer helped her to discover her personal
mission in life: to inspire, encourage, and
Jameisha is now a 12 year survivor and a junior at the University of Houston. She is
studying Health Promotion
with a minor in Psychology.
She is an active leader at the
university, involved in many
activities across campus. She is a mentor
with Power4Life Ministries, a member in
the Mu Delta: Minority Pre- Health Association, and the Allied Health Professions Society. She is also active in UNICEF and the
Human Development Student Association.
Above all, her passion is to give
others hope who are facing cancer. To
Jameisha, what really matters is the way
you fight and triumph over the illness
- mentally, spiritually and emotionally.
Editors Note: The Candlelighters
Education Fund was established to
encourage young people to pursue their
educational / vocational goals. Jameisha
is a recipient of a 2011-2012 scholarship.