Childhood cancer charity, Candlelighters reveal their #CCAM Gold Ribbon as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close.
Throughout the month of September, children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters along with many other charities around the world have been raising awareness of childhood cancer, as well as raising vital funds to support the work they do.
Each year, around 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer and when a child receives a diagnosis, lives are turned upside down in an instant, not just for the child but for their parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and extended family. Getting well again can be a long and challenging journey, physically, emotionally and even financially. Candlelighters provide financial, emotional and practical support to children and families affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire, from diagnosis and for as long as families need it
Every September Candlelighters looks to turn Yorkshire gold in support of CCAM and this year they really did go for it!
#WeAreOne an event created by Candlelighters involved, 100+ people, including nurses, doctors, Yorkshire business, families supported by Candlelighters, volunteers, staff, patients on the ward and even past patients in one large scale event attempting to create the international childhood cancer sign, the gold ribbon! The event took place at Hanover Square in Leeds, less than a five minute walk away from the Leeds General Infirmary and The Square, Candlelighters family support centre. All captured by a drone above, with Candlelighters staff firmly on the ground coordinating the big gold shape, they did it!
Liz Brown, 30 year survivor of childhood cancer found out about the event via Twitter and came across from Hull to show her support, “This was the first event I have been to by Candlelighters and I was absolutely amazed by the turnout – I’ll most definitely be back to offer my support where needed as a volunteer across in Hull” – Liz Brown.
After a very successful afternoon, capturing the largest gold ribbon Yorkshire had ever seen – the charity invited everyone back to The Square for a cuppa’ and gold cakes to bring everyone back together under one roof! A huge success for the Yorkshire based children’s cancer charity! Candlelighters would like to say a huge, huge thank you to everyone who got involved this September in support of #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth. All the money raised will go towards supporting children and their families affected by childhood cancer.
Helena Fewkes, Marketing and Communications Officer and event coordinator for the day said, “September is such an important time of year for Candlelighters and this year we really wanted to do something special to help raise awareness. We have had THE most amazing support and it’s been our best #CCAM yet! We worked alongside, Leeds Children’s Hospital oncology and hematology team to deliver communications around the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and have had help from Dr Bob Philipp’s – Honorary Consultant in Paediatric and Teenage and Young Adult Oncology who’s awareness videos encouraged so many to raise even more awareness of childhood cancer”.