Officers

President

Faith Van Belle

My family has been involved with Candlelighters since 1990. Charlene, my daughter, has a brain tumor. She began having seizures when she was 15 months old. She had brain surgery when she was 3, 6, 12, and 18. She also had a gamma knife radiation treatment and 14 months of chemotherapy in high school. She continues to have MRI's and is doing well.

It is my desire to share with others the same way that Candlelighters have shared with us. One of my goals is to help Candlelighters become better known in our community, thus making it possible to draw on more community support that is so desperately needed.

...because kids can't fight cancer alone!

Vice President

Lori Rodriquez

When Lori's 6 year old daughter was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor in 2008 Candlelighters was there immediately to provide assistance with necessities.  Once treatment was over and life was back to as normal as life gets with cancer, she wanted to give something back.  At the Christmas Party she noticed there were openings on the board.  She officially joined the board in February 2009.

Lori has worked as a non-profit volunteer for most of her adult life.  She has been affiliated with Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, American Camping Association and the American Red Cross.  She also sat on the board of the former Samaritan Counseling Center.  Her degree in education and extensive academic background in psychology and counseling give her an understanding of the needs of CLNW.

Secretary

Margaret Kobylus

N.A. Degerstrom

Margaret Kobylus has been a member of the local Candlelighters since 1992 when her 15 year old daughter, Angela, was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer). In March of 1997 Angela passed away after a very hard-fought 5-year battle with her cancer. Candlelighters gave her family assistance, strength and comfort to carry through that battle. She is committed to giving that back to the kids and families that continue to fight the same battles. Margaret has served Candlelighters as a Board Director, Board Secretary and Board President, as well as heading many committees. Margaret has over 40 years experience in accounting and human resources, as well as many years of experience with other non-profit organizations. Margaret values the opportunity to serve this very worthwhile organization…because kids can’t fight cancer alone!

Treasurer

Merri Nickerson, CPA

Merri Nickerson became involved in Candlelighters in 1997 after her son, Dylan, had an autogolus stem-cell transplant on October 15, 1996.  He was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma on February 2, 1996.  Dylan had seven rounds of chemo and then we went to “The Hutch” in August of 1996.  He came home just 33 days after his transplant and by God’s grace, he had no serious problems afterwards.

Merri has served on the Candlelighters board off and on since 1998 and has seen the tremendous growth and the ability of the organization to meet more needs of families through the years. She believes that it is an honor to be able to serve those who are going through this extremely challenging journey.  She also believes it is the duty of Candlelighters to give hope to those who are struggling through this very difficult period in their lives. She is excited to join with others to facilitate the growth of the organization to meet the ever increasing needs of those going down the cancer path that she has experienced and to advocate for families and increase community awareness of childhood cancer.   …Because Kid’s Can’t Fight Cancer Alone!

Directors

Christine Burg

In September of 2005, at fifteen months, Christine's son, Duncan was diagnosed with stage IV hepatoblastoma and given a 20% chance of survival.  After four surgeries and six months of strong chemotherapy, he was cancer free and has been in remission for over two years.

Candlelighters has been a part of Christine’s family since that dark day in the fall of 2005, lighting the way as only the organization can.

In the fall of 2007 Christine and Chris welcomed their second son, Angus.  Now that the chaos of life in treatment has subsided, Christine feels ready to take her experience with childhood cancer into a more global realm. She looks forward to devoting her passion for raising awareness and providing support to affected families to the services that Candlelighters provides this community.

Suzanne Dahl-Crumpler

Suzanne Dahl-Crumpler has been a board member since 2008 and is the lead in the Tri Cities area for Candlelighters of the Inland Northwest.  She became involved in Candlelighters as a parent of a child with Leukemia.  The many aspects of the organization that were so helpful during her daughters treatment made her realize that this was a local grass roots group that needed support and that there was a tremendous need for support services in the Tri Cities.  Suzanne brings to the board an understanding of service organization management and the personal understanding of the types of services needed for families.

Stacy Lavin

Lavin Construction Company

Lori Rodriquez

When Lori's 6 year old daughter was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor in 2008 Candlelighters was there immediately to provide assistance with necessities.  Once treatment was over and life was back to as normal as life gets with cancer, she wanted to give something back.  At the Christmas Party she noticed there were openings on the board.  She officially joined the board in February 2009.

Lori has worked as a non-profit volunteer for most of her adult life.  She has been affiliated with Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, American Camping Association and the American Red Cross.  She also sat on the board of the former Samaritan Counseling Center.  Her degree in education and extensive academic background in psychology and counseling give her an understanding of the needs of CLNW.

Cory Oberst

Horizon NW Home Mortgage

Cory Oberst's  first introduction to Candlighter's was the 2007 Christmas Party when Faith Vanbelle asked him to be a photographer for the event.  Ever since the introduction, Cory has felt compelled to be part of the organization in some capacity.  Although never having a child with cancer, Cory has lost several close family members 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.  Cory is proud to be part of an organization that steps up to help the kids and their families, because kids cannot fight cancer alone!  Cory is a lifelong Spokanite, received a bachelors degree in Finance and Economics from Eastern Washington University and currently works as a mortgage planner for Horizon Northwest Home Mortgage.  He looks forward to the opportunity to help make an impact on the children's lives and help further educate the community about Candlelighter's cause.

Tina Buringa

Directors Desk

Staff

Executive Director

Mary Anne Ruddis

Mary Anne Ruddis first began volunteering with Candlelighters in 1997. She has served on the board of directors in various capacities before becoming the first Executive Director in 2006. Her goal is to ensure that Candlelighters will always be available as long as childhood cancer exits. In keeping with current trends, she also currently holds a seat on the board of directors.

Mary Anne knows firsthand the devastation that childhood cancer brings. She has had two children with cancer who have both died as a result of their illnesses - Nikki at nine years old in 1994 and Michael at 12 years old in 1999.

She has a bachelors degree from Gonzaga University with concentrations in human resource management and pastoral counseling. Mary Anne also brings a strong business background having worked in administration in the automotive industry for nearly fifteen years.

Office Assistant

Michaella Larson