Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.
Support organization
UMC Candlelighters is a hospital-affiliated support group serving pediatric cancer patients and families at Children's of Mississippi in Jackson. Current official pages describe Ronald McDonald House lodging costs for out-of-town families, one parent's inpatient meal, one-to-one peer-family support, Beaded Journey materials, a parent break room, and a waiting-room aquarium. The group also offers a college scholarship to eligible center patients and stipends for families whose child undergoes bone-marrow or stem-cell transplant. Access appears to run through the cancer-center team or social worker; there is no public Candlelighters application, direct coordinator contact, deadline, amount, or capacity information. Broader UMMC interpreters are available in many languages and formats, but Candlelighters-specific language matching is not published.
Supports Children's of Mississippi pediatric cancer patients and families with peer connection, practical comforts, education, lodging, meals, and targeted financial help.
UMC Candlelighters provides lodging, parent meals, peer support, milestone beads, clinic comforts, scholarships, and transplant-family help through Children's of Mississippi.
Beads and necklace materials to mark your child's treatment milestones, such as blood draws and surgery.
Helps with: Practical Items And Home Help
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
A parent break room with coffee and tea, plus an aquarium in the waiting room.
Helps with: Practical Items And Home Help
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
A college scholarship for study after high school. The amount isn't published. Ask.
Helps with: Scholarships And Survivorship, School And Learning
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: Yes
A paid Ronald McDonald House stay with a bedroom, bath and shared kitchen, living, laundry and dining spaces, plus a meal for you during your child’s hospital stay. An $8 nightly donation is requested.
Helps with: Lodging Near Treatment, Meals And Food
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: Yes
A meal for one parent while your child is hospitalized. The meal value and frequency aren't published. Ask.
Helps with: Meals And Food
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: Yes
Time with another family who has experienced childhood cancer, for encouragement, understanding, and practical advice.
Helps with: Navigation Guides And Advocacy
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: Yes
Money for family expenses during a bone-marrow or stem-cell transplant when other help cannot cover them. The amount isn't published. Ask.
Helps with: Household Bills And Cash Assistance, Medical And Insurance Costs
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: Yes
Organization details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Program availability can change.
