Christmas event planned for children battling cancer

Children’s Cancer Partners of The Carolinas provides Christmas to families fighting cancer

Posted: Dec 05, 2017 11:49 PM EST
Updated: Dec 06, 2017 12:18 AM EST
By Brandon LaVorgna

SPARTANBURG, SC (FOX Carolina) –
It’s been one tough battle for 4-year-old Colt Becker. He’s been taking neuroblastoma head-on for more than three years.
The Becker’s “Secret Santa,” this year has been Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.

“This organization has been extremely helpful for us,” said Kathy Becker, “We would probably not have made it through the last year alive without them.”

Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas helps to cover the costs to help families get their child to treatment. Like Colt, he has to go all the way to New York for his treatments almost monthly.

“We’ve had to go at least a dozen times over the last 12 months,” said Mrs. Becker, “They’ve helped us with every trip and it’s been absolutely a God send.”

Laura Allen, the group’s executive director, says expenses like travel, food and lodging can add up quickly especially when the hospital bills start coming in. Usually the children can be treated in the Carolinas or Georgia, but in unique cases like Colt’s, the family must travel even farther, which just causes the costs to skyrocket.

“We partner with the families when the child is diagnosed and we get the referral from the hospital until a child turns 21,” explained Allen, “So there’s a lot that goes on through the course of those years.”

That’s why Allen along with all the volunteers made sure Santa paid a visit to Spartanburg where they held their Christmas spectacular.

“Tonight, there is no cancer,” said Allen, “Tonight is about Santa. It’s about Christmas. It’s about fun. It’s about our kids.”

A moment out of busy year the Becker family will truly cherish.

“Kids don’t know which way to go first. To be able to get that quality time with Santa, the family pictures, to be able to do crafts and all that, they’re having a blast,” said Kathy Becker.

For more information on Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas click here.

By Chris Lavender

Staff Writer

Posted December 5, 2017 at 9:00

Updated December 5, 2017 at 9:07

Children fighting cancer treated to an early Christmas

More than 100 families with children battling cancer celebrated Christmas early Tuesday night at the Spartanburg Marriott, taking a respite from the everyday struggles they face in fighting the disease.

Horse carriage rides, a visit with Santa Claus and family photos were part of the Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas’ Christmas Spectacular event. The Spartanburg-based organization, formerly called The Children’s Security Blanket, serves children and families throughout South Carolina and North Carolina.

Avery Wilson, 11, of Lincolnton, N.C., attended with her mother, Crystal Wilson. Since Avery was diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia in April, the family has traveled once a week to Charlotte for medical treatments. Children’s Cancer Partners has helped the family during the process.

“For this holiday, they have had a big donor and they gave gift cards and offered to pay some of our bills for Christmas so we can focus on our family,” Crystal Wilson said. “They have helped us a lot this holiday.”

Children’s Cancer Partners CEO Laura Allen said the event is among the organization’s biggest nights of the year.

“This is a night when children can be children and celebrate Christmas and not think about all the challenges they go through,” Allen said. “About 600 children in the Carolinas are diagnosed with cancer each year, and we work to make sure they have access to care.”

The organization doesn’t get involved in diagnosis or treatment but does offer financial assistance with lodging and travel for families seeking care at facilities nationwide. Children’s Cancer Partners serves more than 200 children in the Carolinas.

Cindy and Brian Weathers of Woodruff celebrated their daughter Ella’s successful cancer treatment Tuesday night.

“It’s been surreal,” Cindy Weathers said. “Ella was diagnosed July 3, 2014, with leukemia. She is in remission now. The last time she was checked, she had no signs of leukemia. The diagnosis at her 18-month wellness check threw us for a loop and turned our world upside down. We didn’t know what to expect.”

Children’s Cancer Partners was encouraging throughout the treatment process, Weathers said.

The organization renamed itself in November and decided this year to expand its services to North Carolina and beyond the Upstate.

Children up to 18 may be referred to Children’s Cancer Partners by social workers at their pediatric oncology treatment centers. After meeting with the child and their family to identify needs, the organization partners with them until the child reaches 21

By WSPA Nickelle Smith
Published: December 5, 2017, 11:05 pm Updated: December 5, 2017, 11:33 pm

Children battling cancer enjoy Christmas Spectacular

SPARTANBURG, SC (WSPA) – It was a ‘Christmas Spectacular’ for families who share a common journey with cancer. The event in Spartanburg was hosted by the Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas so children battling cancer could enjoy a night with their siblings and parents.

“Have some fun and don’t worry about the past,” said Brian Weathers.

He and wife Cindy attended with their children Matthew, 9, Grace, 5, and Ella, 4. Ella was diagnosed with Leukemia at 18 months.

“She also had to have chemo injected into her spine,” said Cindy Weathers. “Heartbreaking. It was definitely heartbreaking.”

It’s a familiar feeling for all the other families attending the event at the Spartanburg Marriott.
The Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas wanted to put their worries on hold.

“I love these kids – they are all role models,” said Executive Director Laura Allen. “Love to see the joy and the smiles on their faces because sometimes when I see them in the hospitals, I don’t see that joy.”

The organization – formerly known as The Children’s Security Blanket – hosted the Christmas Spectacular for about 500 children battling cancer or in remission, their siblings and parents.

“For our children, we want them to have a little bit of reprieve from their daily battle driving to and from the hospital, getting chemo treatment,” said Allen.

There were arts and crafts, face painting, family portraits, carriage rides, and a visit with the jolly elf himself.
Each child also got gift cards for themselves their siblings and for their parents. Allen says an anonymous donor made the Christmas party happen last year and this year.

“The financial burden on a family with cancer is tremendous,” said Allen. “Our children who are battling cancer who are in active treatment are all receiving up to a thousand dollars of their December bills paid.”

Families are getting long term support like a Christmas that’s a little merrier.

“Once treatment stops, it’s not over. It’s really not. You are in a better place but you’re always worried about relapse,” said Cindy Weathers. “It’s going to be part of her life forever, part of our lives forever.”

The Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas serves about 200 families in South Carolina and North Carolina after starting out in Spartanburg County.

“We recently changed the name of our organization to express clearly our service to the entire Carolinas, where over 600 new pediatric cancer diagnoses are made each year,” said Allen. “Our mission remains the same – getting all children to lifesaving cancer treatment regardless of family circumstances. Our new name more accurately explains whom we serve, why and where. We truly partner with cancer treatment professionals and the families through every step of the difficult childhood cancer journey.”

If you’re interested in making a donation, click here to visit their website or call 864-582-0673.

By WSPA Staff, December 4, 2017

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (PRESS RELEASE) Christmas should be a magical time for young children but for those battling cancer and served by Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP) it is often a time full of hospital stays, painful treatments and sleepless nights.

On December 5th, CCP will help to ensure these brave children remember how to “just be kids” and their families experience more joy and less worry for the holidays.

“CCP’s December 5th event will be more than just a Christmas party, it will be an opportunity for children undergoing treatment

and their siblings to forget cancer for a moment and just enjoy this very special time of year,” explained Executive Director Laura Allen. “Families served by CCP will gather, share in festive cheer and gain encouragement and hope for the future of their loved one as they meet survivors and connect with others fighting similar battles.”

CCP, formerly known as The Children’s Security Blanket, is creating a holiday celebration for the children they serve unlike any they have ever experienced. These children and their siblings will be treated to horse drawn carriage rides, a festive holiday dinner and presents galore. Families will join in Christmas caroling, games and crafts before having special holiday family portraits made. CCP
clients will also receive everything they need for a full Christmas dinner at home.

In addition to the Christmas gathering, CCP’s families with a child undergoing active treatment will have their spirits lifted and burdens lightened in another way as well. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor the nonprofit has funds to cover many rent, utility, car and insurance payments for families during December, eliminating some of the financial worries that often accompany the holidays.

“Holidays can be stressful under the best of circumstances,” said Allen, “Caring for a child who has cancer can put a huge strain on families, making the emotional and financial demands of holiday time especially hard. This donor’s amazing gift will make it possible for us to alleviate financial pressure for these families so they can focus on enjoying a memorable Christmas with their precious children.”

The amazing and heartwarming Christmas celebration will cap off a year of dramatic expansion for Children’s Cancer Partners. Started in 2001, Children’s Cancer Partners grew from a project of the Spartanburg Breakfast Optimist Club. The organization first existed to help families in Spartanburg County, S.C. but has now expanded its reach to encompass families throughout all of
North and South Carolina.

Nearly 500 of these children and family members are expected to enjoy CCP’s Christmas Spectacular. Children up to age 18 may be referred to CCP by social workers at their pediatric oncology treatment centers. After meeting with the child and their family to identify specific needs, CCP continues to partner with them until the child reaches the age of 21. The nonprofit provides food,
transportation and lodging for families who often have to travel to obtain the lifesaving treatment their children need. The group also offers tremendous emotional support, special events and other resources that enrich the lives of the children, parents and siblings.

“We recently changed the name of our organization to express clearly our service to the entire Carolinas, where over 600 new pediatric cancer diagnoses are made each year,” explained Allen. “Our mission remains the same-getting all children to lifesaving cancer treatment regardless of family circumstances. Our new name more accurately explains whom we serve, why and where. We truly partner with cancer treatment professionals and the families through every step of the difficult childhood cancer journey.”

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (PRESS RELEASE) Christmas should be a magical time for young children but for those battling cancer and served by Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP) it is often a time full of hospital stays, painful treatments and sleepless nights.

On December 5th, CCP will help to ensure these brave children remember how to “just be kids” and their families experience more joy and less worry for the holidays.

“CCP’s December 5th event will be more than just a Christmas party, it will be an opportunity for children undergoing treatment

and their siblings to forget cancer for a moment and just enjoy this very special time of year,” explained Executive Director Laura Allen. “Families served by CCP will gather, share in festive cheer and gain encouragement and hope for the future of their loved one as they meet survivors and connect with others fighting similar battles.”

CCP, formerly known as The Children’s Security Blanket, is creating a holiday celebration for the children they serve unlike any they have ever experienced. These children and their siblings will be treated to horse drawn carriage rides, a festive holiday dinner and presents galore. Families will join in Christmas caroling, games and crafts before having special holiday family portraits made. CCP
clients will also receive everything they need for a full Christmas dinner at home.

In addition to the Christmas gathering, CCP’s families with a child undergoing active treatment will have their spirits lifted and burdens lightened in another way as well. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor the nonprofit has funds to cover many rent, utility, car and insurance payments for families during December, eliminating some of the financial worries that often accompany the holidays.

“Holidays can be stressful under the best of circumstances,” said Allen, “Caring for a child who has cancer can put a huge strain on families, making the emotional and financial demands of holiday time especially hard. This donor’s amazing gift will make it possible for us to alleviate financial pressure for these families so they can focus on enjoying a memorable Christmas with their precious children.”

The amazing and heartwarming Christmas celebration will cap off a year of dramatic expansion for Children’s Cancer Partners. Started in 2001, Children’s Cancer Partners grew from a project of the Spartanburg Breakfast Optimist Club. The organization first existed to help families in Spartanburg County, S.C. but has now expanded its reach to encompass families throughout all of
North and South Carolina.

Nearly 500 of these children and family members are expected to enjoy CCP’s Christmas Spectacular. Children up to age 18 may be referred to CCP by social workers at their pediatric oncology treatment centers. After meeting with the child and their family to identify specific needs, CCP continues to partner with them until the child reaches the age of 21. The nonprofit provides food,
transportation and lodging for families who often have to travel to obtain the lifesaving treatment their children need. The group also offers tremendous emotional support, special events and other resources that enrich the lives of the children, parents and siblings.

“We recently changed the name of our organization to express clearly our service to the entire Carolinas, where over 600 new pediatric cancer diagnoses are made each year,” explained Allen. “Our mission remains the same-getting all children to lifesaving cancer treatment regardless of family circumstances. Our new name more accurately explains whom we serve, why and where. We truly partner with cancer treatment professionals and the families through every step of the difficult childhood cancer journey.”

http://wspa.com/2017/12/04/christmas-event-planned-for-children-battling-cancer/