DC Candlelighter’s hosted its annual Family Spa Night at Life with Cancer on March 26, 2025 for kids on and off treatment, their siblings, and parents. 33 kids ages 3 to 18 and 22 parents enjoyed a night of fun, pampering and connecting with others. Families were treated to dinner before breaking into their respective activities. Moms and dads were treated to a relaxing venue away from their kids with reiki, cranial sacral therapy, a sound bath, facials, hair styling, and make-up.
The kids, who came in their PJs, enjoyed getting their nails painted and putting on make-up; decorating mini purses, caps and head bands with jewels and bling; coloring mini wooden rockets and putting together spacecraft Legos; getting hand and foot massages and animal mask facials with cucumber eye patches and fuzzy and camo headbands; and making their own delicious ice cream sundaes with the works! They finished the evening with Yoga stretching, breathing, and self-affirmations with our own Meg Crossett leading the group.
Teen volunteers from the Centreville High School Wildcats vs. Cancer and the Young Hearts Cancer Foundation helped with set-up and were paired with the younger kids to guide them through the stations. They helped serve sundaes, give hand massages in the mini spa, and played with the kids. The Wildcats also provided a craft station for making origami, paper plate animals, and paper bag kites.
Thanks to Board Member Connie Connor who organized the event (and husband Stephen), Meg Crossett, Jen Teise, Michelle Slaughter (and granddaughter Callie), Amy Switzer, and Laura McGowan. A big thanks to Jitka D’Ambrosia formerly with Moment of Grace who organized the therapists and stylists for the parents. Thanks also to additional volunteers including Molly Stevens, Susan Watkinson, our own child life specialist who ran the kids’ spa, and former Board member Jeannie Buhr and daughter Ava for helping to make the event a memorable time for all.
Pictures can be found here.
