Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation: Childhood Cancer Awareness Tree

Each year during the December holiday season, a 23 foot tree is placed in the lobby of a building on Capitol Hill, Washington DC. The tree is solely decorated with thousands of gold ribbons (the symbol for childhood cancer), with each ribbon bearing the name of a child who has, or has had cancer. The tree glitters strong in our nation’s capitol for all to see. Thousands each year are touched as they are reminded of our nation’s youngest cancer patients.

Each year, a lighting ceremony is held to light the tree, honor our cancer children, and enjoy some fun activities with our families and friends. In keeping with last year’s event, time will be given to all families attending this year’s event to come to the microphone during the program to pay tribute to their child who was diagnosed with cancer.

About the 2007 event: I am thrilled to inform you that this year’s guest speaker and musician is Matthew Zachary. Matthew Zachary was a 21 year old college student and concert pianist when diagnosed with a form of pediatric brain cancer. Told he would never perform again, Matthew chose to get busy living. Twelve years, four albums and hundreds of concerts later, Matthew is now an emerging leader in adolescent and young adult cancer advocacy as the founder of the innovative I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation,- a global support community for young adults affected by cancer, and- ranked by TIME Magazine as a Top 50 Website for 2007. His mission and vision are to end the isolation faced by so many and to use music and the arts to help young survivors create, connect and unite. For more information on Matthew and his commitment towards more and better treatments for pediatric and young adult cancers, please visit ImTooYoungForThis.org.

‘Light up the Holidays with Hope’ is also a fun family time. This year’s entertainer will feature Jason the Juggler. For the last decade Jason Huneke has been entertaining at corporate events, fairs, and festivals. Known to captivate all age groups using his unique blend of comedy and coordination including unicycling, balancing, and juggling, Jason keeps the crowd laughing along with him.

This year’s event will also include fair-type fun activities for your children, toys and gifts, as well as lots and lots of food!

Please support this important event through the purchase of a gold ribbon in honor or memory of your cancer child that will be placed on the National Childhood Cancer Awareness Tree, and if possible, we hope that many of you will be able to attend the tree lighting and post-lighting events.

Light Up The Holidays With Hope 2007!

Childhood Cancer Awareness Tree Lighting 2007

Photos from Previous Events