Candlelighters is a Yorkshire based charity dedicated to helping support children with

cancer or serious blood disorders, and their families, whilst at the same time promoting

research into childhood cancer.

Each year some 150 children and teenagers in Yorkshire are referred to the Specialist Unit

at St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds. The news that a child has cancer is

devastating and distressing to the child and their family. From the time of diagnosis

families have to readjust and learn to cope with a life of many uncertainties and

disruptions.

Candlelighters’ aim is to find a cure for childhood cancer. For this to happen, money is

needed for research. Whilst enormous progress has been made since the charity was

formed in 1971, it will be years before cures are found for all forms of cancer and

leukaemia. Research funded by Candlelighters at St. James’s Hospital in Leeds

contributes to national and international knowledge and understanding of how cancer

develops and behaves. The more research is done, the faster the cures and possibly the

causes, will be found.

In the meantime, Candlelighters continue to raise much needed funds to improve the

facilities for children being treated at the Unit in Leeds; to purchase the latest medical

equipment for the ward, outpatients clinic and bone marrow transplant unit; toys, books,

games and videos which make the children’s time in hospital more pleasant; to encourage

support groups for parents, siblings and teenagers and to provide holiday breaks away

from the stresses of hospital routine in their holiday homes on the East Coast.

Charities are able to reclaim tax on any donation made after 6th April 2000. If you are a

tax payer and would like us to reclaim the tax paid on your donation, please initial against

your name and address. The declaration will be used to reclaim the tax you have already

paid and will not increase your tax liability.