All money raised at the Harvest Classic benefits the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Program

Candlelighters History

Candlelighters/Austin Area was founded in 1988 as a grass-roots, parent-driven nonprofit to aid children and families battling childhood cancer. As the number of families facing the strain of childhood cancer grew (from 15 in the first year to nearly 500 today), the organization Candlelighters evolved into a combined effort between professional social workers and parent/mentor programs to help families cope with the challenges of having a child with cancer. In 2003, Candlelighters merged with Any Baby Can, increasing the scope of both non-profit organizations.

Vision

No family should have to go through their journey with cancer alone.

Mission

To provide comprehensive psychosocial support and service for children with cancer and similar blood disorders, and their families. Candlelighters provides support throughout all stages of cancer without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or financial status. Candlelighters is the only local agency providing a continuum of care to children with cancer and their families, throughout the family’s entire struggle with the disease.

Services

Included among the many services offered by Candlelighters are counseling and crisis intervention, support groups, school-based services, family events, holiday celebrations, Camp Grey Dove for siblings, and bereavement services.

Contact Candlelighters

1121 E. 7th St.
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 454-3743
Any Baby Can – Candlelighters

A Letter from Candlelighters

September 3, 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

For the past seven years, the CTMC has produced the Harvest Classic European and Vintage Motorcycle Rally in Luckenbach, Texas. All proceeds from this event are donated to the Any Baby Can Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Program. Your funding has supported families affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis, like Michael:

Shortly before his fifth birthday, Michael was diagnosed with cancer. Childhood cancer is any parent’s nightmare, but the disease is just one part of the battle. Michael’s mom, Judy struggled with the grief of having a sick child, plus the emotional and financial strains of caring for her son. Candlelighters worked with Michael and his family from his initial diagnosis. From support groups to navigating community resources, his mom Judy says the help of their Candlelighters case worker has made all the difference. “It’s absolutely invaluable to have someone as an immediate resource who really understands childhood cancer.”

We appreciate the hard work that goes into this event, and are excited to be a part of Harvest Classic once again.

Our mission is to ensure that children reach their potential through education, therapy and family support services. It is through the hard work of the many volunteers and generous contributors of this event that we are able to continue to provide the vital services for the families and children in our community who need us the most.

We are a 501(c)(3) organization. Our tax ID number is 74-2684335.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate contacting me.

Sincerely,

Ellen Balthazar, Executive Director

“It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness”