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Candlelighters Childhood Cancer
Tucson, AZ · EIN 432080690 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE G30 · Voluntary Health Associations · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.candlelightersaz.org
revenue
$117K
expenses
$73K
net assets
$187K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Candlelighters supports, serves and advocates for children and adolescents with cancer, sickle cell and other blood disorders, their families, long term survivors, bereaved families, and the professionals that care for them.

profile · synthesized from sources

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona provides free support services to families in Southern Arizona with a child diagnosed with cancer or a hematological disorder. The organization offers psychosocial, financial, and educational support programs for patients, siblings, and parents, including holiday events, family camps, and financial assistance. It works closely with Banner University Medical Center Tucson and serves approximately 300–450 children and family members annually.

named programs · 8 · from sources

what they call their work

Annual Family Camps
Hosts weekend family retreats in Arizona camp settings to foster camaraderie and mutual support among families affected by childhood cancer.
Dream Night Prom for Teens
Hosts an annual formal event for teens and siblings to enjoy a night of music, style, and peer connection.
Educational Support and Advocacy
Supports students missing school due to illness by providing laptops and helping them stay connected with teachers and academic work.
Financial Assistance and Resource Program (FARP)
Offers financial aid for rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation, along with one-on-one mentoring to help families navigate support systems.
Holiday Assistance Party
Organizes a culturally inclusive holiday event with gifts for diagnosed children and siblings, activities, and financial assistance for families in need.
Parent Support Program
Provides individual and group support, parent circles at camps, and peer mentoring for parents of children with cancer or blood disorders.
Young Adult Oncology Support Group
Offers peer support for young adults navigating life after or during cancer treatment.
Youth and Sibling Support Program (YSSP)
Provides peer support, normalizing activities, and events for children and siblings of cancer patients, including holiday parties, camps, and educational support.
activities · 10 groups

what they do

  • Annual Commemorative and Community Celebrations 6 activities
    • Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony
      Hosts an Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor and remember children with cancer and blood disorders.
    • Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony
      Hosts an Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor and remember children with cancer and blood disorders.
    • Annual Dream Night Prom
      Organizes an Annual Dream Night Prom for teens and their siblings.
    • Annual Dream Night Prom
      Organizes an Annual Dream Night Prom for teens with cancer and their siblings.
    • Host an Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony
      Hosts an Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor and remember children with cancer and blood disorders.
    • Host memorial ceremonies
      Hosts an Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor and remember children with cancer and blood disorders.
  • Holiday Gift and Family Support Programs 6 activities
    • Holiday Assistance Program
      Organizes a Holiday Party and a Holiday Assistance party that includes fulfilling children's gift wishes, providing new gifts for children aged birth to 18 years, and offering financial assistance to families. Also provides full-course Thanksgiving meals to youth in the hospital, their families, and hospital staff.
    • Holiday Assistance and Gift Giving
      Organizes a Holiday Party and Holiday Assistance party to fulfill children's gift wishes, provide new gifts for children aged birth to 18 years, and offer financial assistance to families during the holiday season.
    • Provide Thanksgiving meals
      Provides full-course Thanksgiving meals to youth in the hospital, their families, and hospital staff.
    • Provide holiday assistance
      Organizes a Holiday Party and Holiday Assistance parties that include fulfilling children's gift wishes, providing new gifts for children aged birth to 18 years, and offering financial assistance to families. Also provides full-course Thanksgiving meals to youth in the hospital, their families, and hospital staff.
    • Provide holiday assistance
      Organizes a Holiday Party and Holiday Assistance party that includes fulfilling children's gift wishes, providing new gifts for children aged birth to 18 years, and offering financial assistance to families.
    • Thanksgiving Meal Provision
      Provides full-course Thanksgiving meals to youth in the hospital, their families, and hospital staff.
  • Family Resource Fairs and Community Events 4 activities
    • Family Support Events and Camps
      Organizes various monthly activities, annual family camps (including a three-day camp on Mount Lemmon and a Fall Family Camp in Heber, AZ), and special events like "Mothers Night Out," "Dads Night Out," and "Family Day" to provide ongoing support and social opportunities for children with cancer or blood disorders and their families. These events serve approximately 300-450 children and family members annually.
    • Family Support Events and Retreats
      Organizes various social events and annual family camps, including monthly activities, "Mothers Night Out," "Dads Night Out," "Family Day" outings, Halloween parties, and weekend family retreats, to provide support and community for children with cancer or blood disorders and their families.
    • Host social events for families
      Organizes monthly events for children with cancer or blood disorders and their families, including craft activities, "Mothers Night Out," "Dads Night Out," "Family Day" outings, Halloween parties, and an Annual Dream Night Prom for teens.
    • Host social events for families and parents
      Organizes monthly events for children with cancer or blood disorders and their families, including craft activities, "Mothers Night Out" events (dinner, makeovers, spa days), "Dads Night Out" events (dinner, sporting events, golf weekends), "Family Day" events (amusement parks, sporting events), Halloween parties, and an Annual Dream Night Prom for teens and their siblings.
  • Financial Assistance for Families 3 activities
    • Financial Assistance Program
      Provides financial assistance to families affected by childhood cancer for essential needs such as utility bills, rent, car payments, gas, and grocery cards. This program serves over 150 families annually.
    • Financial Assistance for Families
      Provides financial assistance to families affected by childhood cancer for essential needs such as utility bills, rent, car payments, gas, and grocery cards.
    • Provide financial assistance to families
      Provides financial assistance to families affected by childhood cancer for utility bills, rent, car payments, gas, and grocery cards.
  • Cancer Support Groups & Peer Networks 3 activities
    • Offer support groups
      Provides ongoing support to families affected by childhood cancer through support group communications and offers a support group for young adults with oncology needs.
    • Support Groups for Young Adults
      Offers a support group specifically for young adults with oncology needs.
    • Young Adult Oncology Support Group
      Offers a support group specifically for young adults with oncology needs.
  • School Community Events & Family Nights 1 activity
    • Halloween Party
      Organizes a Halloween party for families to socialize, have dinner, and engage in art activities and games.
  • Device Distribution for Education 1 activity
    • Laptop Program for Sickle Cell Disease
      Provides laptops to youth with Sickle Cell disease to help them maintain academic connection and progress despite school absences.
  • Organized Outdoor Adventure Camps & Trips 1 activity
    • Organize family camps and retreats
      Organizes annual three-day family camps on Mount Lemmon and a Fall Family Camp in Heber, AZ, as well as other weekend family retreats in various camp settings across Arizona.
  • Comprehensive Family Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide school advocacy resources
      Provides resources for school advocacy to families of children with cancer.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Educational Support for Youth with Sickle Cell Disease
      Provides laptops to youth with Sickle Cell disease to help them maintain academic connection and progress despite school absences.
    • Provide educational support for youth with Sickle Cell disease
      Provides laptops to youth with Sickle Cell disease to help them maintain academic connection and progress despite school absences.
    • Provide school advocacy resources
      Provides resources for school advocacy to support families.
    • School Advocacy Resources
      Provides resources to families for school advocacy.
    • School Advocacy Resources
      Provides resources to families for school advocacy to support children with cancer or blood disorders in their educational journey.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$117K
Contributions & grants$117K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$140%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$73K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$17K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$187K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$187K
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +30.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 6
  • Dr Christopher Chen — Director
  • Dr John Hutter — Director
  • Leticia Saldivar — Director
  • Luly Ortega — Director
  • Moses Akpan — Director
  • Sonia Economou — Director
relationships · 18

who they work with

  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Funder — Sponsored the organization's website.
  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Funder — Sponsors the organization's website.
  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Funder — Sponsors the website.
  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Partner — Sponsor of the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer website
  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Partner — Sponsors the organization's website.
  • Angel Charity for Children, Inc. Partner — Website sponsor
  • Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • Banner UMC Tucson Partner — Works closely with pediatric oncology social workers at this local treating hospital.
  • Banner UMC Tucson Partner — Works closely with social workers and physicians to provide assistance to families.
  • Banner University Medical Center Partner — Hosts the Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony on its lawn.
  • Banner University Medical Center Tucson Partner — Hosts the Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony on its front lawn; pediatric oncology social workers at the hospital work closely with Candlelighters.
  • Chapman Auto Group Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • KOA Care Camps Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • Pueblo Optimist Club Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • Sundt Foundation Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • Tucson Conquistadores Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.
  • Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Funder — Sponsor of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Organization of Southern Arizona.