When a child is born or diagnosed with a serious illness, the entire family is affected. Families literally can be torn apart as one parent moves into the hospital to be with the sick child. Siblings, already worried about a brother’s or sister’s health, suffer greatly when their daily routines are disrupted.
The financial devastation that can occur when one parent misses work for extended periods of time or leaves work entirely to care for their child can upset even the best-functioning family unit.
Chai Lifeline Canada steps in, offering whatever is needed. Counseling for each member of the family, volunteers who bring an extra measure of adult attention and stability to children’s lives, tutoring for children who must miss school for extended periods of time, family retreats, special sibling programs, information, peer and professional support, and two extraordinary summer camp programs for seriously ill children help families retain a sense of normalcy and hope while fighting even the most dire pediatric diseases. All programs are free of charge.
OUR HISTORY Chai Lifeline began with one program: a summer camp for children suffering from cancer. Camp Simcha gave sick children the opportunity to forget about illness and concentrate on being kids once again. The fun, friendship, activities, and love gave them the emotional strength to withstand the pain and isolation of illness for another year.
The overwhelming response to Camp Simcha was an indication of the tremendous need for such services all year round, not only for cancer victims but for children suffering from all types of serious illness. This held true for children in Canada as well. As more and more children from Canada went to Camp Simcha, the need for localized programming in Canada also came to light. Chai Lifeline Canada has evolved rapidly, identifying the various needs of ill children and their families, and creating the programs to satisfy those needs. Today, Chai Lifeline Canada, the Canadian affiliate of Chai Lifeline International, has the ability to tap into a worldwide network of programs and services. Chai Lifeline Canada has earned the acclaim of doctors, therapists, and community leaders, as well as the unending gratitude of thousands and Hundreds of children and families.
