Staff & Board of Directors

Candlelighters of the Inland Northwest is governed by a board of directors and employs an Executive Director.

Executive Director

Mary Anne Ruddis

President

Faith Van Belle    (509) 230-4966

I have lived in Spokane most of my life.  I am married and have 3 daughters.  I have a wonderful husband, David, of over 22 years.  Michelle is married to Shawn and is 21 years old and in college, Jennifer is also in college and 20 years old, Charlene has graduated from high school and is 18 years old.

When Charlene was 15 months old she began having seizures.  We took her to the doctors and she had her first MRI.   They diagnosed her with epilepsy but said for her to have another MRI in a year.  In 1989 we moved to Portland, Oregon.  One year after her first MRI she had her second, within a week she had brain surgery.  They told us then that she had a brain tumor, astro cytoma.  At this point, we were introduced to Candlelighters.  We decided to be a part of this organization because of the support from the other families.  We wanted our girls to see that this lifestyle of cancer would be “normal” for us.  We were able to attend many of the events that Candlelighters put on throughout the years.

Charlene has had a total of 5 surgeries, 1 radiation treatment and 14 months of chemotherapy.  She currently goes in every 3 months for an MRI then a follow up doctor visit. We continue to be involved in Candlelighters but just recently I have become more available to help on the board, Candlelighters, whether it be in Portland or Spokane, has been a great support to my family.  We moved back to Spokane in 1998.  I would like to share with others the way that they have shared with us. I would also like to help Candlelighters be better known in our community so that our community can support Candlelighters.  …Because kids can’t fight cancer alone!

Vice President

Grant Ogren - (509) 951-6477

In 1998, I was introduced to Candlelighters by a fellow co-worker, Julie Moss.  At that time, I became the Editor & Publisher of the INC Newsletter.  Since that fateful day, I have become the Educational Grant Coordinator, keeper of the 'Emergency Overnight Bag', web-master and currently the Member-At-Large.  You ask, how am I qualified to be a board member when I haven't lost a child to cancer?  I have lost many children to cancer.  I used to work for HealthTeam Northwest, which was the home care provider for the Deaconess Oncology Clinic.  I started as a pharmacy technician, filling the prescriptions and mixing the drugs for most of the local pediatric oncology patients.  After I mixed the drugs, I would end up delivering them to the families of the oncology patients.  I became really close to my patients and their families, very close.  Losing a patient is one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with.  I know it's not the same as losing your own child, but it has brought me to where I am today.    I currently work at Itron.  Itron is a huge supporter of Candlelighters, from auction table sponsors to underwriting the printing of the Candlelighters newsletter. 

Candlelighters is very important to me.  This is a very important organization and has a huge impact on our membership and community.  As the organization grows, our community exposure grows.  I really appreciate the opportunity to serve such a wonderful organization.

 

Treasurer

Merri Nickerson - (509) 928-2475

Secretary

Margaret Kobylus - (509) 953-5186

I have been a member of Candlelighters since 1992 when my 15 year old daughter, Angela, was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer).  With that came my first knowledge that kids get cancer too, and my first knowledge of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation.  In March of 1997 Angela passed away after a very hard-fought 5-year battle with her cancer.  Candlelighters of the Inland NW was there with our family for those 5 years, giving us assistance and strength to carry through that battle.

In 1998 I was asked to join the new Board of Directors that filed for our Candlelighters 501©3 non-profit status with the IRS.  I served a 2-year term on that Board, then became President of our local Candlelighters on April 1, 2000.  I served as President until March of 2007, at which time I resigned primarily for health and family reasons.

In December of 2007 I decided that my life had calmed down enough that I would like to take a position on the Candlelighter Board of Directors once again.  There were several vacancies, and I missed being a part of what our unique organization does for kids with cancer and their families.  I am grateful to be able to help carry on the battle against childhood cancer in memory of my precious daughter, Angela.

I have worked for a general contractor in the heavy construction business, N. A. Degerstrom, Inc., for 26 years in the accounting and human resources departments.  I also have many years of experience working with other non-profit groups such as Children’s Miracle Network, National Association of Women in Construction and Habitat for Humanity.

I once again welcome the opportunity to serve this very worthwhile organization…because kids can’t fight cancer alone!

Board Director

Abby Lynde

 

Board Director

Suzanne Dahl-Crumpler - (509) 783-1042

I first became involved with Candlelighters in 2006 when my daughter, Lydia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  Being from the Tri-Cities, I appreciated the extra support the Candlelighters give to out-of-town families.  After we were back in the Tri-Cities, along with a few others, worked on setting up a local Candlelighters support group where parents could share their unique perspectives and emotions.  We have partnered with the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.  Hopefully, our Tri-Cities activities will continue to grow and provide support for families in the Tri-Cities area.

Board Director

Cory Oberst - (509)

My first introduction to Candlighter's was the 2007 Christmas Party, Faith Vanbelle asked me to be a photographer for the event.  Ever since the introduction, I felt compelled to be part of the organization as some sort of volunteer.  I have not lost a child to cancer but I have lost several close members of my family to cancer and cannot imagine how hard it would be for a child to have to go though it and the toll it takes on the family.  I'm proud to be part of an organization that steps up to help the kids and their families, because kids cannot fight cancer alone!  I have been a lifelong Spokanite, received a bachelors degree in Finance and Economics from Eastern Washington University and currently work as a mortgage planner for Horizon Northwest Home Mortgage.  I look forward to the opportunity to help make an impact on the children's lives and help further educate the community about cause. 

Board Director

Dayne Kuhlmann - (509) 891-9991

I am currently an account executive and media consultant for Marjoni Marketing.  I graduated from the University of Montana in 2007 with a Bachelors in Marketing. While at the University of Montana, I played Tennis for the Griz and also was active with the ad club.  I was born and raised in the Spokane Valley and attended Central Valley High School. 

Board Director

Stacey Lavin

Board Director

Christine Burge

 

 

Cancer Facts

• Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.

• One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.

• Although the 5 year survival rate is steadily increasing, one quarter of children will die 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

• Cancer remains the number one disease killer of America's children - more than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Asthma and AIDS combined.