Candlelighter Family Events

Family Engagement Events are provided by Candlelighters throughout the year. These events are designed to engage, inspire and heal the entire family unit during treatment or up to 2 years from the date of their final treatment. Family engagement events allow families to interact privately, form meaningful relationships and inspire their children to fight pediatric cancer with the support of other children in our community.

Life’s A Picnic Celebration 

This outdoor picnic allows for Candlelighter Families to come together and play games, reconnect and BBQ. The event features a meaningful butterfly release in memory of our angels/bereavement families and in honor of our survivors.

Annual Christmas Party 

Santa and his helpers from the Indian Harbour Beach Fire Department bring cheer to the children of Candlelighters and their siblings. During the party children participate in face painting, magic show, entertainment, gift raffles and dancing. Each family gets a special moment with Santa and leaves with a bag full of gifts. Special thank you to all the elves who make this day possible.

Andretti Thrill Park Outing 

Candlelighter Families come together on the race track, arcade and putt putt course for a night of fun. Special thanks to Andretti Thrill Park and Moe’s Southwest Grill Palm Bay.

Family Beach Retreat 

Every year our newly diagnosed families are invited to experience a weekend of healing and relaxation to take a brief reprieve from the severe reality of their child’s diagnosis. This event allows families to meet and share their stories in a comfortable and fun setting and be reassured that they are not alone in their fight.

Special thanks to the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, Sand N Sea Beach Rentals, Space Coast Massage & Spa and Pappagallos Beachside for helping us provide the best mini-vacation possible for these families.

Theme Park Outing 

Each year Candlelighter Families are provided a complimentary day at a theme park consisting of Sea World, Universal Studios or Disney. Thank you to John Genoni for his generosity in covering all associated costs for over a hundred people each year.