Chai Lifeline Canada: About Us

Background
Chai Lifeline International 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.

Camp Simcha was an overwhelming success on many fronts. Children had a great time, and beleaguered families with a much-needed respite of several weeks. As the camp grew, Canadian children were invited to participate; over the years, hundreds of sick children have been to Camp Simcha.

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.

Scope of Services
Families of children with serious illness face a host of challenges on numerous fronts, challenges that immeasurably compound the difficulty of their arduous struggle of combating the disease itself. Chai Lifeline Canada addresses the full spectrum of needs, from logistical to social, recreational to psychological. Chai Lifeline Canada reaches out not only to patients, but also to parents, siblings, classmates, school faculty, and the community as well.

Despite our size, Chai Lifeline Canada is an organization comprised of caring, compassionate individuals who are sensitive to the unique needs of each individual they help. When families feel alone and overwhelmed, Chai Lifeline Canada staff members and volunteers extend a helping hand, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on – and a loving heart. Because, at the end of the day, that is what Chai Lifeline Canada is all about – fighting illness with love.