A white flag flying at the community flagpole at the Collingwood Public Library bears the image of a gold ribbon and serves as a reminder of children who are diagnosed with cancer, both locally and across Canada.
The flag was raised today, Sept. 13, by a member of Candlelighters Simcoe, Mayor Yvonne Hamlin and Coun. Rob Ring to mark childhood cancer awareness month.
It is estimated that about 10,000 children are living with cancer in Canada today, read the mayor in a proclamation to mark the flag raising. There are about 1,500 new cases diagnosed every year.
"This month we recognize the dedication and hard work of all those scientists, healthcare professionals, parent organizations and volunteers who are working to overcome childhood cancer and assist these families," read the mayor. "We applaud and commend the dedicated volunteers at Candlelighters Simcoe Parents of Children with Cancer for the work they do for families with cancer in our region."
Candlelighters Simcoe began in 1990 by a mother whose child survived cancer twice, and who recognized gaps in support services for families.
Now a registered charity, Candlelighters Simcoe remains a volunteer-driven organization funded totally by donations.
All the staff and volunteers in the group are parents of children or teens who have been diagnosed with cancer. The organization supports other families going through a childhood cancer diagnosis with social visits, gift cards, information and more.
The small group serves all of Simcoe County, including Collingwood.
Membership in Candlelighters is free, and all of the programs are provided at no cost to the family being supported.
Learn more about Candlelighters Simcoe online here.
