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Back to SearchOTTAWA – 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 (JLamont@cheo.on.ca)
Media contact
Paddy Moore, CHEO
o. 613-737-7600, ext. 3536 | pmoore@cheo.on.ca
Jocelyn Lamont, Candlelighters
o. 613 737 7600 ext 2327 | JLamont@cheo.on.ca
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
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.