That 1 Family Shines Cancer 2 Childhood Awareness Month of Hope is 3 Harvest October 21st, 2017
SUPERHERO 5k 4 2017 Sets Record 5k 5 SUPERHERO Sponsors Spotlight 6 Sponsor & Partner Spotlight
For Candlelighters Spotlight & 7 Volunteer 10 Coins & Ride For A Child DIY Fundraiser Spotlight Board Metro Chapter & 8 Portland Members Southern Oregon Chapter 11 New Valley Chapter 9 Mid-Willamette 12 Volunteer Info & Central Oregon Chapter
CandlelightersConnections FALL 2017
M
Family That Shines: Haeems Family
eet Gautam ... 10-year-old
out how to
had a call button that I could press and
boy who is genuinely full
make Gautam
the nurses would bring me what I asked
of love and life. His smile
better. Sadness
for. I always asked for chocolate milk. It
fills the room and his jokes can make
and fear and
didn’t matter what time it was, I asked
anyone laugh. He’s great at talking
everything
for chocolate milk even at midnight.”
sports, and is the first to challenge you
else followed
to a little competition. He is brother
quickly in the
and laughing. He is a smart, upbeat,
to Kabir, son to Anita, and friend to
next breath that witty young man who offers his friend-
most in the Candlelighters community.
seemed impos-
ship to many. Anita is huge help in
Gautam dreams of becoming an NBA
sible to catch.”
networking and letting new families
superstar, and he certainly has the
That’s when
Kabir keeps all of us on our toes
know they are not alone. And of course,
drive to pull it off. He enjoys hanging
Candlelighters
Gautam is an example to all on how to
out with family and friends, playing
stepped in.
overcome obstacles with grace.
with Legos, eating Indian food, burgers
Gautam was
and fries, and pizza. If he could pick a
greeted by a
our family; for the humor, grace and
favorite movie it would be the Star Wars
Bedside Buddy
dignity you bring. Your companionship
series or Jurassic World.
stuffed animal
lifts us and gives us endless hope.”
In 2009, Gautam was diagnosed with High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic
on his bed when
“Candlelighters means so much to
Gautam is now off treatment and
he was checked doing well. To the entire Haeems Family
The Haeems Family - Kabir (Top), Anita, and Gautam
Leukemia. He was only two-years-old.
in for treatment. – you are not only a special part of this
Gatuam’s mom Anita writes: “On being relief. Relief that we finally had a diag-
Gautam remembers the ups and downs organization but in our hearts as well.
told that Gautam likely had some form
nosis and that I hadn’t been imagining
of being in the hospital: “Being in the
Here’s to many more memories and
of leukemia, my first emotion was
things. That we could finally figure
hospital was cool because the room
laughs along the way!
Candlelighters For Children With Cancer publishes CandlelightersConnections four times a year to provide news and other information to our childhood cancer community in Oregon and SW Washington.
Our Mission:
To provide a community of healing, hope, and light throughout the life-long journey of childhood cancer. We advocate, we educate, we build partnerships, and we foster solidarity for all families experiencing cancer.