Nonprofit asks for help sending El Paso-area kids with cancer to summer camp

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Attending a week-long summer camp in the forest is something not many El Paso children have experienced, partly due to the cost.

But dozens of El Paso kids will have the opportunity to experience summer camp at no cost to their families, thanks to Candlelighters.

Candlelighters held its annual fundraising breakfast Friday morning for the first time since 2019, due to pandemic restrictions.

Dozens of supporters showed up at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Building to sip coffee, eat eggs and listen to video testimonials from children who attended camp previously.

The goal this summer is to bus 120 kids with cancer and their siblings to a weeklong camp where they could try ziplines, ride horses, learn archery and, put simply, just be kids.

"We work with kids from birth to 25," said Candlelighters CEO Scott Lynch. "The people who are here to support us have donated to help us bring kids to camp.

"Camp is completely free and is run by volunteers," Lynch added.

The nonprofit organization's mission is to support the families of children who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Candlelighters offers financial assistance for gas, bills, food and medical travel. But Candlelighters organizers believes cancer doesn't just affect the child, it also impacts the family's holistic well-being.

Learn more about Candlelighters and how you can support their mission here.