Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF) was founded in 1970 by concerned parents of children with cancer. Today their membership is of over 50,000 members of the national office and more than 100,000 members across the country.

Parent to parent contact had such a profound impact on the parents and families of children with cancer in the initial three groups that they decided to form a national organization. From this initiative, local community organizations were established throughout the country.

In 1976, Candlelighters Foundation was incorporated as the communication link for groups and contacts throughout the country. In 1985, the name was officially changed to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. In 1997, the National Office assisted one of the local Candlelighters organizations with the development and promotion of the gold ribbon symbol as the universal awareness symbol of childhood cancer. In 2001, the National Office released a new logo, one that embraced both symbols - the candle and the gold ribbon.

CCCF were accepted as UICC full member in 2006.