Community Connections
Shining a local light on:
Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer
Proudly serving:
Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Southport, Stamford, Weston, Westport, Wilton
Learn more about their charity:
Community Connections
Community Connections shines a light on local charities whose compassion, service, and dedication strengthen the fabric of our community. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire others and help the spirit of giving spread throughout our towns.
Under the spotlight today: Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer
An interview with Liz Salguero, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Circle of Care
How do you brighten our community?
Circle of Care for families of children with cancer helps ensure that no family faces childhood cancer alone. We provide practical, emotional, and financial support for families from the day a child is diagnosed, through treatment and beyond, easing everyday burdens so families can focus on what matters most—their child. By bringing neighbors, volunteers, schools, businesses, and supporters together, we strengthen our community through compassion and connection.
Who do you serve in our community?
We support Connecticut children, adolescents, and young adults (through age 26) diagnosed with cancer, along with their parents, siblings, and caregivers. As the only organization in Connecticut serving all pediatric cancer diagnoses regardless of where a child receives treatment, we're there for families throughout their entire cancer journey.
What are you most proud of?
We're most proud that families know they can count on us... not just during a crisis, but throughout their entire journey. Since 2003, we've supported over 4,100 families with everything from emergency financial assistance aimed at keeping families in their homes with food on the table and gas in their car to get to and from treatment, and other essential comfort services like hospital care packages, in-home room makeovers, birthday celebrations, transportation, food allowances, and peer support. We strive to meet families where they are with the care they need, when they need it most.
What was the spark that started your organization?
Circle of Care was founded by parents who experienced childhood cancer firsthand. After founder Liz Salguero's son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, she realized that while excellent medical care was available, families also needed help with the challenges waiting at home. Paying bills, caring for siblings, finding emotional support, and simply getting through each day. Liz, along with co-founder Dawn Ladenheim, created the organization they wished had existed for their families, so that no one would have to face childhood cancer alone. Liz and Dawn's sons are now both thriving as young adults.
What is one of your future impact goals?
Our goal is simple: to ensure that every child and family facing childhood cancer in Connecticut knows they are not alone. We will continue expanding our reach so more families receive the practical, emotional, and financial support they need, while increasing community awareness that healing doesn't end at the hospital. Together, we can build a future where every family has the support they need to navigate childhood cancer with hope and dignity.
How did you change a life?
One of the most meaningful moments is often something that seems simple. We recently transformed a young girl's bedroom after months of cancer treatment. For the first time in a long time, she had a space that felt joyful, safe, and entirely her own. Her mother told us it gave her daughter something to smile about again and reminded the whole family that there was still hope beyond the hospital. Those moments are why we do this work... because healing takes more than medicine.
Who are your community partners?
Circle of Care is fortunate to work alongside an incredible network of community partners who make our mission possible. We collaborate with the only two pediatric hospitals in Connecticut; Yale New Haven Children's Hospital and Connecticut Children's. Through our community partnerships with schools, businesses, civic organizations, foundations, volunteers, and local leaders throughout Fairfield County and across Connecticut we are able to provide practical, emotional, and financial support to children with cancer and their families while raising awareness that no family should face childhood cancer alone.
Local-Insta thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Community Connections series possible!
Celebrating the charities that make our community stronger.
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Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer
Circle of Care helps ensure that no family faces childhood cancer alone. We provide practical, emotional, and financial support for families from the day a child is diagnosed, through treatment and beyond, easing everyday burdens so families can focus on what matters most—their child.
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