Testimonials

Notes from families we have served and supporters who have seen us in action

I would like to thank you for the (assistance) to help us out while going through a hell in which no one should ever have to endure. The Badger Childhood Cancer Network is a bright beacon of hope in the dark fog of cancer. Your help put a smile on my children's faces. It meant extra groceries, school clothes for 3 kids and medicine for my daughter . . . We as a family celebrate the small victories in life that we previously took for granted or overlooked. Your help was definitely celebrated so much. The work that you do does impact lives in such a positive way it's almost indescribable. We thank you and everyone who helps so much. (M's Dad)

We appreciate the support so very much. I only hope someday we can give back to help others out. THANK YOU for making this journey a little easier. J's Family (Mortgage assistance)

Thank you so much for the Walmart gift cards you sent to me for L. I was able to buy him some clothes after his school supply needs were met. He was quite happy to have new clothes. Thanks again! Sincerely, C.

Thanks so much. It really helps! H Family (Utility bills)

Thank you so much for your help!! We appreciate the support. A's family (new water heater)

Thank you again for your help in assisting our family. We apppreciate it so much! Take care, S Family (Grocery cards)

Thank you so much for your generosity! It is very much appreciated G. Family (Car repair assistance)

Thanks again for making this [travel assistance] available to us, helping cover costs of treatment. M. Family

Thank you for the grocery gift cards. It is very much appreciated. M. C.

As always, we are grateful and humbled by your gestures and understanding. Thank you thank you thank you. N. H.

Thank you so much for this assistance!! It is so very appreciated! T. H.

Thank you for all your help! We greatly appreciate it! P. G.

Thank you for such a quick response. The [mortgage assistance] and grocery cards are much appreciated. M. C.

Thank you so much for your assistance. We will forever be thankful! N. H.

I'm glad you sent the grocery cards now. They have come at an even better time. Thank you for your help and all you do. God Bless. S. K.

Thank you very much from me and my family for everything you all have done for us. I. T.

Thank you SO much for helping us! J. M.

Thank you so very much for all you do for us! P. R.

Thank so much from us to you. The gifts brought to our kids made us very happy. Hope you have a great new year. R. Family

Thank you again SO much for your assistance during a rough time! It is very much appreciated. Have a Happy New Year! C. S.

You have been a blessing to my family. Thank you so much. I don't know how I would make it without this help. B's Mom

Thanks! This helps a lot! E's family, Marathon Co., Wisconsin

Thank you for all your help. Sincerely from I. and family.

Thank you for being a part of the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month student panel. I think it was great for pharmacy students to see the whole perspective from health care providers, family and yourself to really get a better understanding of what children and their families go through when a diagnosis of cancer is made . . . We look forward to working with you again soon! Heather, professional chair, Kappa Psi University of Wisconsin student pharmacy fraternity

Thank you so very much for all of your help!! God Bless, A's family

Thanks so much Anne and everybody. We received the check and gift cards and it was a huge help. J's family, Stephenson Co. Illinois

Thank you so much for this assistance. We REALLY appreciate it!

Thank you so much for your generosity! We appreciate it more than you'll ever know! R's Mom and Dad

A's family says "Thank you for your assistance!"

Thank you very much for everything! B's family

Thank you BCCN for everything you have done to help me and my family. I look forward to the day that I will be able to pay it forward.

Thank you so much for all you did for A. while we were in Madison for surgery and chemotherapy. You efforts are truly appreciated!

All the help from your organization is a big help to me and my family and I appreciate it so much. I've been in the hospital for about two months now and have not been to work either. The help I'm getting from your organization means so much to me . . . Thanks so much for everything. Melissa

Dear BCCN: We are the graduating class of occupational therapy students at the UW-Madison. During our tenure at the UW, we fundraised many events so that we could give back to the community upon graduation. When deciding which organizations we would donate to, yours was the top choice because of the strong connection we have felt. Our class has been touched by the services ans support that you provide to families who have children with cancer. Many of us has the pleasure to attend Candlelighters' support group where we played and supervised the children. As occupational therapy students, we thrive on helping people live the lives they want to live, and you do just that. You help families with the medical services and social support they need. We have been inspired by the compassion that you bring forth and by the courage that the children display. Please accept this gift as a token of our gratitude and respect. Sincerely, The Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy Class of 2011

I would like to thank you for everything that you have done for us and the many families I've met at AFCH. Thank You! Rachel

Thank you so much for all of your help. It has helped a lot! R.S. and family

Thank you SO much for EVERYTHING! C. H.

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful help. The kids were so happy when I came home with food! :-) I have learned growing boys can really eat! Take care and God Bless - Jenny

Organizations like this one are truly a Godsend. Words cannot express the extent of my gratitude. You make a "down" situation temporarily bright. Cherie S.

We appreciate your financial assistance with A's cancer. We had $12,300 in unreimbursed copays for medical bills in 2010. G. Family

Thank you so much. This will help us out a lot. You have been so great to us over the years! Thank you so much :) We are going through such a hard time but it's good to know the kind of support we have behind us.. it means so much! Blessings, B and L

First of all let me say Thank you for the grocery gift cards and gas card you sent. They really help stretch our dollar. Wishing you and your family a Blessed Easter. God Bless. K Family

Thank you so very much for the help in paying some of my bills and for the grocery cards. You have lifted such a weight from me. God bless you all. Kristy P.

Thank you again from the R family for helping us out in a time of need. You have helped to ease some of the financial burden so we can focus on Austin and getting him through his second stem cell transplant. Spring always hits our family hard financially. It seems the time when utility bills are highest and our family business is slowest, so we appreciate what you have done to help out. Austin continues to recover from his stem cell transplant and we feel blessed for every day, week, moment we still have with him and pray for a lifetime of health and happiness for our son. Thanks for your continued support. The R Family.

Thank you so much again for your help. Here is a new spring picture that T. had done in school. He is doing good in school keeping up with the class. But he can't wait until he is done for summer break! Thank you again. Take care and enjoy summer. Love, J, T and D.

We look forward to the monthly get togethers with Capital Candlelighters. We have met some awesome families who are going through similar situations. The kids have a great time!

When Capital Candlelighters helps our family with bills or groceries, it lifts a weight off of our family. We cannot say thank you enough. D's Family

M. will be completing her treatment in 18 days. We couldn't have made it without the love and care that Capital Candlelighters provides. We wanted you to know how much we have appreciated the support from this fabulous group . . . your warm way of welcoming folks helps to get everyone through these tough days. You've brought the positive and the good into some challenging and overwhelming times. We thank you for all of this and for helping us make it!

Very recently, M. enjoyed a fabulous opportunity with the UW Badgers. We thank you for this (and for the pictures, too).

Also, all 3 of our kids loved their Christmas gifts and the fun times they've had at Vitense. We have all loved our connection with Capital Candlelighters and we will continue to support this wonderful group. All our love, the P. Family

Capital Candlelighters - C. and her family would like to thank you for all your support! The gifts and gas cards and grocery cards are very much appreciated!
signed by Mom, Dad, C. and her three sisters, Fox Lake, WI

[posted by one of our moms on our Facebook Cause page] This Amazing Organization is the most worthy cause I have ever met !! They truly support a vast group of struggling families that have been touched by Childhood cancer in Wisconsin and Illinois. A helping hand and a strong supporter for all facing this terrible disease.

Dear Capital Candlelighters,
We just want to let you know how much we appreciate your organization and to thank you for everything you've already done to help our family, although you may not even realize it. Our 10 yr old daughter, A., was diagnosed with ALL [acute lymphoblastic leukemia] at AFCH on Feb 7th. We were given your duffle bag filled with goodies and helpful resources, as well as the gas card. It was a very nice surprise and very comforting to know such a wonderful and supportive group of people are available as we start our cancer journey. We are very fortunate to have the support of family and many friends, but every bit helps and we do want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do to support kids & families in our area.
Thank you!! signed by Dad, Mom, sister and A., Janesville, WI

To Anne and everyone at Capital Candlelighters: Thank you so much for all the help that you have given our family. We truly appreciate everything that you have done. Thank you again! K's family

Thank you so much for the wonderful Christmas party and the gift certificates. Your help is always appreciated! -- Love, The B. Family

Capital Candlelighters - Thank you so much for the gas card, books and awesome travel bag. What a precious gift you give - simply amazing! We will never be able to find words to express how grateful we are to you. Your act of kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity has forever touched our lives during this extremely difficult time. People like you truly make a difference in the world. -- The F. Family

Capital Candlelighter's Board of Directors and Anne Spurgeon:

This note of thanks comes long overdue but we want you to know how much we appreciate the FM machine you purchased for our daughter, M. [partially funded by a grant from the Capital Times Kids Fund] M. has a brain tumor and underwent two resections at the ages of 4 and 7. She is now nine years of age and doing well. As a result of the first surgery, she lost her hearing in her left ear. Because she hears only out of one ear, she often misses dialogue when she is in noisy environments or in situations where there is a lot of background noise. She had been using the FM machine at school since kindergarten, which allows her to learn to her full potential and to not miss pertinent information in the school setting . . . It was not until this past summer that we had an FM machine to use at home and in the community, which is a direct result of your generous donation. This has allowed M to be more involved in situations in the community and socially as she is able to engage more appropriately in conversation because she is hearing what is being said. Please know how much this donation has meant to not only M but to our entire family. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. We are delighted to be part of such a wonderful organization that assists many kids in need. Thanks again for all your efforts on behalf of our family and other families! -- Sincerely, M's Family

What an amazing service you provide to all our families!
Thank you! L (mom to R)

Dear Anne and Capital Candlelighters:
Thank you to your wonderful organization for the generous support you have provided our family as we travel the Cancer Journey. Your gift bag had all the little necessities we needed after transferring to AFCH by ambulance. The car repairs you provided for us literally saved our lives. While driving home from Madison the weather turned from rain to sleet to slush. Someone tried passing us and then went into a tailspin right in front of us. He spun around several times almost gettng us tangled up with him, but thanks to our car having new tires and new brakes, we safely came to a stop just barely missing his bumper. The journey with cancer and transplant is difficult enough, thank you to Candlelighters for helping to lighten the stress load so that we may focus on the future and the good times that lie ahead.
The R. Family

Just wanted to thank you again for all of the wonderful events planned through Capital Candlelighters on Saturday. It was great to see you and have the opportunity to chat for a few minutes. B. & I had such a wonderful time at the spring celebration, bouncing & creating crafts. I wanted to let you know that the moms sitting next to us were talking about their children and their experiences with cancer. I remember you mentioning that connecting with one another was one of the purposes of these gatherings and I wanted you to know that I saw that happening. These women were not only sharing their experiences, but sharing information, making the whole thing easier because someone else really understood their story. With all of the fun on Saturday provided by Capital Candlelighters, it was one of my favorite days. Thanks! D.

Dear Capital Candlelighters-
God bless you and thank you for your wonderful bag and gas card for our famiy and daughter, A. We were stunned to hear about her cancer. However, God and His word heals and He has provided wonderful angels like your group to help us along the way. We appreciate your help.
Thank you. R and N.

Although I haven’t met you, I just wanted to thank you and the organization you represent for the financial gifts you have sent to our family.
It has been a difficult time for us and the gifts have helped us along the way and truly have been a blessing to our family. May God Bless you and Capital Candlelighters.
L family

To everyone that is involved in Capital Candlelighters-- We wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Thank you for the moral support and generosity you have shared with us this past year. You have lifted our spirits and insured that our holidays have been filled with love instead of worries. With gratitude and much love, K, A and Elvis the cat

Thanks for everything that your organization does for the children and their families. It is great to know that organizations like yours are there to help and provide support through such a difficult time in their lives. The Beloit Optimist Club would like to give you this donation to continue the wonderful work that this organization provides.

I want to sincerely thank you for your assistance. Everyone has been so wonderful during this time and I hope we have the opportunity in the future to do the same for others. . . . S. was actually in the hospital for her scheduled chemo during the December 13th party. I’m sorry we missed it.
Thank you again. I hope to meet you at some point in the future.Take care and have a Merry Christmas. G

Thank you for all you do to support our American Family Children's Hospital families! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! -- Ashley, RN on the oncology unit at AFCH

To our friends @ Capital Candlelighters:
Thanks so much for everything you have done for us. The bag at the hospital was full of toys, books and information that was great, a real pick me up for W! We just received your $100 gift card from Piggly Wiggly. THANK YOU! That will definitely come in handy.
Your friends, the S family

Dear Anne: Thank you so much for the gift card. Once again you have shown to be so incredibly generous and thoughtful. This Thanksgiving we will add you to the blessings we count.
Sincerely, the L family

Thank you! Thank you so very much for your generous help—it has certainly lightened my load so much.
The Capital Candlelighters as so thoughtful and giving that I couldn’t believe all you’ve done to help. It’s people like you that help make the situation with my children somewhat easier.
From my heart to yours, thank you again, B.

Capital Candlelighters,
Thank you so much for all of your help. The gas cards and the WE Energy payment were extremely helpful to our family. We think you have a wonderful organization and are very grateful. It is such a comfort knowing there are people like all of you.
Thank you, Ashley’s family

Thanks for the duffel bag and all the information when A was diagnosed—it was a huge help!
Love, Kris D

Dear Capital Candlelighters,
One big thank you! Your organization was a blessing. We received donations from your organization this past summer when our son Jason was a patient at UW Madison in pediatric Hematology and Oncology department. Once again, Thank You!
The J Family (accompanied a donation in honor of their son)

We really appreciate the help from Capital Candlelighters. The van is working great and the gas card will definitely help. We appreciate all the efforts of those who have traveled this scary road before us.
Sincerely, the O family

This letter is to anyone, company, or corporation that donates money/items to Candlelighters. When my 14 year old son was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in July 2006 the first sign of support came from Candlelighters. As a single parent dealing with a very sick child I was not only terrified but uneducated with what we were about to endure. The first thing I was given was a nice duffle bag full of information, signs of hope, along with thermometers, gas card, and phone card. This bag became part of me because every place we went the bag came with. I was also able to apply for a grant from them which came in so much needed. All of the sudden your driving 75 miles one way to appointments two or three times a week if not more. You’re in the hospital with a child for days on end. Your not working to bring in any money so everything that was done for us was much appreciated. Candlelighters was there for us when I felt very alone & hopeless. Well my son has been in remission for 3 months and we wanted to thank Candlelighters and their sponsors for everything.
Thanks again,
Donna C Mom of Johnny

Thank you so much for your offer of help. We are actually going to take you up on that as well. We had forgotten about a medical bill. . . . It is so nice to know that you are able to help. We are very greatful for that. I wanted to also thank you for the gas card. It came in handy when I had to travel to Madison yesterday for K's clinic visit and sedation.
Thank you so much for your help.
Lynn

I think it would be nice to connect with a family who may have had a teenage daughter who went through treatment for Hodgkin's. We have many books and resources given to us, but as of yet, I haven't taken time to pour through them. I've looked up a few things that I have had questions on, and will take one day at a time.

K. received her HERO Beads at the clinic a week or so ago, which was neat, as I had read about that on your website. I'm sure as we continue on this new journey, our paths will cross and I will get the chance to meet some of the folks with whom you work.
Thank you so much for everything! We loved the duffle of goodies, a well thought out bag full of blessings!
Sincerely, R

Dear Anne,
Thank you very much for the walmart gift card. We are most appreciative of your support. Soon, we hope to put much of this financial and emotional stress behind us when R. finishes treatment and I go to work.
Best wishes,
M. L.

Just a note to thank you and the Candlelighters for your help. The rent money was such a big help, and the gas card and Border’s card were also greatly appreciated! Your organization is just wonderful in what you do to help families dealing with cancer. We are forever grateful for what you’ve done for us!
Thank you so much,
C. family

Deb R. wrote:
> Shortly after I sent the email Fri, T. flushed her lines and became
> ill. I rushed her to Madison and she is currently in Peds Intensive Care.
>
> When she flushed her lines it caused whatever it was to enter her blood
> system at once. She is in stable condition.
>
> They will be removing these lines in the next day or two, I think
> probably Monday.
>
> I'll try to keep you posted.
>
> Deb

Anne Spurgeon <anne@capcan.org> wrote:
So sorry to hear about the setback, Deb. You and T. are in my
thoughts. Please keep us posted, OK?

Anne

I can't thank you enough Anne. If it weren't for you and Bobby [providing money to purchase a used car] I never would have got her there in time. It would have taken too long for anyone to get here and then to UW.

Her fever hit 104.6 . She couldn't see anything but white. I drove 105 mph on the 4 lane roads.

Her blood pressure was 50/17 when we got there.

Later T. asked me if I thought that the white was the bright light people see when they die.

I was as scared as I ever what to be.

Thank you again,

Deb

Thank you so much for offering services to families during difficult times. Thank you so much for the use of the mini-laptop during our stay. It’s been so useful, especially since I’m here alone most of the time and don’t want to leave my 13 mo baby too often to check email from family.
A.F. (McKenna’s mom)

I just got all of that stuff in the mail today. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! . . . . I don't know how I can ever repay you. You are a true blessing. Thanks again.
A. S.

Hi Anne,
. . . Thank you so much for all of your help. You and the capital candlelighters are a blessing. If it wasn't for you guys, I don't know what I would do. Thank you all so much. I was also wondering if there was someone I can talk to about how others deal with this. I am having a hard time. It’s hard seeing James go through this. I just worry so much about him especially at night when I go to bed.
Thank you again.
Amanda (sister/legal guardian of teen with leukemia)

We would just like to thank you for the fast response on the bills we sent, that helped us so much this month, since I’m still not back to work, so I can take care of Breanna. I think your group is wonderful!! You will have a special place in our hearts for all you do for the children and their parents while they are sick. Thanks Again.
The J. Family (parents of toddler with leukemia)

Thank you for your support in Lance’s battle with cancer. We greatly appreciated the black gift bag at the hospital. Every little gift or “free-be” helps take the edge off the stinging emotions associated with the cancer diagnosis.
The K. Family (parents of 6 y.o. boy with rhabdomyosarcoma)

Thank you for everything Capital Candlelighters has done for our family. The bag with aspirin, toothbrushes, etc. was wonderful and had lots of great info in it

In your letter it said that you might still be able to help out with some bills. We are traveling an hour each way to therapy 3x a week plus all of our other Dr. appts.

If you could help out with our car payment again that would be great. If not please let me know.

Thank you for everything—we would not have made it this far without people like you!

R., Mirissa’s mom

I am returning the gas cards to you. We don’t feel right in keeping them as Ryan has passed away . . . Thank you all so very much for all you did for our family.
Much love, Ryan’s family

Dear Anne and Capital Candlelighters,
Our family deeply appreciates the assistance you are giving us. The Wal-Mart cards are wonderful! R, our daughter, was able to get some games including :Buckeroo, The Hippo Game and the Fishing Game. She loves them! We are very grateful for all the groceries we are getting!
Sincerely, M.L.

Thank you so much for the help. You will never know how much this means to us. Thank you again.
The B. Family

Dear A. and Capital Candlelighters
We have received your gift cards to help with groceries and gas. Thank you so much! Your thought and generosity is greatly appreciated. Jenna is doing pretty good at this time.
Sincerely Jamie and Jenna

Dear Capital Candlelighters and UW Madison Hospital:
We were very touched by the gift of money we received from you to help us out for Christmas. Our son Nick was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2001 and has had 3 brain surgeries. His last MRI in 2005 showed another possible growth and possible cancer. We wanted to make this the best Christmas ever for our son due to his unknown future and you made that wish come true. We are planning a trip to Wisconsin Dells to the Wilderness Hotel. Nick has always wanted to go there but things have been tough for our family and Nick. Just seeing the smile on our son’s face makes us happy and to have the help to make this all possible is such a miracle for us. Thank you once again for the generous gift.
Sincerely Pat, Debbie, Ashley and Nicholas

Thanks so much for your kindness and generosity to our granddaughter Haley and her parents. We all have so appreciated your support.
Sincerely Tim and Sharon D.

We cannot say thank you enough for all of your support and prayers through Christopher’s illness. Thank you as well for your most generous gift. We truly appreciate your kindness thoroughout this last year.
Jeff and Pam and family

Thank you so much for the gas card that really helped out a lot.
Ryan’s family, Jeff, Lisa, Ryan, Allison and Madeline

Dear Candlelighters-
Thank you so much for the check you sent it is so very quickly to help us cover medical expenses. What a relief to receive such assistance without having to go through huge amounts of paper work.
In gratitude-

Hi, my social worker sent u guys a form in for us to help us financial and we just received your check u sent us. We really appreciate it. It helped us out a lot. Were going through some hard times and now we have to go to Madison once a week for my son’s chemo. Well I just wanted to e-mail u and say so much.
Brenda

Capital Candlelighters,
Thank you so much for the gift of money for Jessie Hanson. The money had come in so handy. Thank you once again for the assistance.
Jessie, Law
Briana H.

We wanted to thank you for sending your gift of money. We used it to get some tires since our last ones were bald. Thank you for helping keep all of us safe.
…for being such a blessing!!!
Greg, Sue, Jessica, Rachael, Michael, Angela, Alicia.
“May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness”

Kirsten is doing well. We found out yesterday that she is done with her treatments and is now on follow up care. She truly was an inspiration to all of us during this difficult time.
Thank you again

Capital Candlelighters,
Thank you for considering us for this grant. We have been in great need for some assistance, and you answered that prayer for us! Thank you for your love and support!
Sincerely,
Kimberly