Dear Family and Friends,

       As many of you know, Candlelighters is near and dear to my heart for many reasons.  My daughter Abbey Standley was diagnosed with Leukemia on October 10, 1997, at the age of 3 years old. We were introduced to Candlelighters during one of our many hospital stays. The organization has a wonderful Parent Consultant program that visits newly diagnosed families facing childhood cancer, and we are so thankful for their support during that time.  After 2 ½ years of Chemotherapy, and many visits to the hospital and clinic, Abbey is now 29 years old and blessed to be a Long Term Survivor.  Abbey lives in Virginia and is employed as a Marriage & Family Counselor.    Abbey is a graduate of Texas A&M University (2017), and earned her Masters degree from Liberty University (2020)  in Virginia.  She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and former member of the Femmattas, an all female Acapella group at Texas A&M.  When Abbey is home visiting Houston, she still finds time to volunteer with Candlelighters!  We will be forever grateful to her Oncologist, Dr. Zoann Dreyer, and our other awesome team of Doctors and Nurses at Texas Children’s Hospital as well as the love and support we received from Candlelighters.

      Over the past 20 years, I have enjoyed serving as a Board Member for Candlelighters and I love having the opportunity to give back to the many people who make this program possible.  This organization provides many resources to families facing childhood cancer such as emotional and practical support, including gas cards, parking passes, meals and much more.  The money raised from our events directly funds the many things Candlelighters offers families. This organization currently serves approximately 1000 families each month and the number continues to grow. 

      On September 9, 2023, we are walking again in our Fun Walk and I would love for you to support our team, ABBEY’S ANGELS.  I am walking in honor of my daughter Abbey and all the families who face Childhood Cancer.  I know the difference Candlelighters makes in the lives of these children.  All the funds raised at the Fun Walk go directly to support our annual Camp Cliff- a weekend get-away for the entire family. 

      I am most grateful for your consideration in supporting us and I am determined to reach my goal of $1,000 by September 9.  It is easy to make a donation, you can give directly to me or simply go to

 http://give.candle.org/goto/AbbeysAngelsTeam2023.

      Thanking you in advance for your support of this wonderful cause, and please know the huge impact your donation makes for these children and their families.

Sincerely with love,

Cynthia Ditta Priebe