The Moores Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), officially kicked off its “Light One Little Candle Book Program” Nov. 15 with a reception, introduction and the opportunity to learn how to donate or volunteer.
“The program was started by a 35-year-old mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer and who had a very young daughter,” said Natalie Wilson, community health program manager and patient, family and communication director for the center. “One of the few activities that she could share with her daughter was reading, and they did it every evening for special bonding time.”
The Light One Little Candle Book Program encourages parents who are undergoing treatment to read to their children, and includes children’s classics in English and Spanish. New children’s books are distributed to patients by the Patient and Family Education Center.
“People are really interested because this program touches everyone involved and creates a special legacy that adults and children alike can turn to again and again,” Wilson said. “It allows people to draw upon this special memory.”
Joelle Pauporte started the Light One Little Candle Foundation to promote reading as a way for parents with cancer and caregivers to connect with their children.
The foundation’s partnership with Moores Cancer Center will allow patients to select a book from the Light One Little Candle book cart and bring it home to their families. Participants will be able to keep the books and are encouraged to write notes about their reading experience on the special bookplate pasted in each one.
The foundation has provided 100 books and Warwick’s Books of La Jolla has donated $200 in books.
“We hope to encourage and enable our patients to have that continued bonding time with their children,” Wilson said. “It is a simple idea, but when families are facing cancer, finding quality time can be difficult, and this affords them the opportunity.”
For more information, see www.lightonelittlecandle.org.