Chai Lifeline FAQ
Chai Lifeline is the international children’s health support organization. Our mission is to bring hope, joy, friendship, and compassion to the lives of seriously ill children, their families and communities, enhancing their lives and enabling them to cope with the crises and challenges of pediatric illness.
Although we began by serving children with cancer and other blood disorders, today the majority of our clients have chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Our network of emotional, social, recreational, and financial programs is designed to create a year-round web of support around sick kids, their families and the communities in which they live. We understand that a child’s illness affects the entire family, and our programs are family-focused and family-friendly. Programs are held in facilities that can accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and other medical equipment.
In-hospital services include professional case management and advocacy; healthy, nutritious meals for patients and caregivers; transportation assistance for parents; visits by volunteers; and overnight respite that allows parents to go home for the evening.
We offer a full complement of services for children including weblinks between classrooms and hospital rooms or homes; recreational opportunities; Big Brothers and Sisters; a lending library of books, tapes, and DVDs; after-school programs for children living with loss or illness in their homes; creative arts and art therapy; counseling; trips; food packages; sibling programs; and an innovative survivor program that facilitates post-cancer life.
Families find hope and support through retreats; family respite vacations; peer-support programs for mothers or fathers; insurance advocacy; family days and holiday parties; bereavement and crisis intervention services.
All programs are free of charge, including our largest, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special. We even pay transportation from campers’ home cities. Peruse our Program Guide for more information.