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Our Mission

To create victories for Canadian children with cancer through investment in national, collaborative, lifesaving research, empowering education and community programs.
 

Founded In
1987

In 1987, Edwina Eddy created a small charity after losing her 17-year-old son Bryan to acute myelogenous leukemia.

Loss of Life
1 in 5

1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer won't survive

Average years lost
70 years

70 years lost on average when a child dies of cancer compared to 15 life years for adults (Coalition Against Childhood Cancer)

 
 
Our History

The Beginning

May 20, 1976 Bryan Eddy lead a march of more than 200 people across Canada to demonstrate on Parliament Hill in support of medical research. Bryan held a sign saying “I have leukemia. Without research I am on death row.” Bryan advocated for all those suffering from incurable diseases. On August 12, 1976 Bryan passed away at the age of 17 at the Montreal Children’s hospital.

Candlelighters

In 1987, Edwina Eddy created a small charity called the Candlelighters as a promise to her dying son, Bryan. He was was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. The name Candlelighters was used as a reference to the expression, “it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” June 23, 2016, Edwina Eddy was awarded with the Meritorious Service Decoration for her years of childhood cancer advocacy.

Investment in Research

Since 2004, the foundation is the primary charitable funding partner of clinical trials and childhood cancer research for C17 Council (Children's Cancers & Blood Disorders), comprised of Canada's leading pediatric oncologists and hematologists.

Survivor Scholarship

The Survivor Scholarship Program was launched in 2010, to provide much needed financial support and recognition for young survivors of childhood cancer who wish to pursue post-secondary education.

Today

In August 2019 Childhood Cancer Canada and Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation announced their plans to create a new unified foundation, combining their efforts toward more positive outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults fighting cancer in Canada. The Foundation completed the unification in September 2020, with a new logo to symbolize the two foundations coming together as one. Childhood Cancer Canada is dedicated to saving, enhancing and extending the lives of kids with cancer.

Words cannot express how grateful I am for the CCC scholarship towards my undergraduate studies in Biomedical science.

Amy.Z

I was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor at the age of 5. I am now 21. The CCC Scholarship has helped me to afford transportation and has also bought the textbooks that I will use to graduate.

Brianna.G

We attended the Purple Party, a set tour of Murdoch Mysteries, and have been provided with tickets to special events. These memories mean so much to our family

Heather.H

This scholarship will help me immensely with my schooling. I am very grateful to Childhood Cancer Canada for their support and the opportunities they have given me since I was young.

Tobin.H

I cannot express how thankful and blessed I am to have been chosen to be a recipient for the survivor scholarship. Receiving this scholarship made it possible for me to pursue my dreams and go to university

Zunaisha.S

The CCC Scholarship is an amazing reminder of the hope that Childhood Cancer survivors have for the future. They can own their story and be confident in what the future holds!

Julia.D