Parents’ quality of life is affected by stress induced by a child’s illness as well as by their individual and family-related coping patterns and skills. A child’s hospitalization puts additional stress on parents, and remains high throughout the child’s stay.

Children in the throes of illness or medical crises need their parents to be advocates as well as parents. But the strain of illness makes it even more difficult for parents to function.

Chai Lifeline’s day-to-day assistance and visits from Chai Lifeline’s professionals and volunteers provide crucial emotional benefits in addition to concrete aid. Among the services offered are:

The Care For Kids Respite Program

provides essential support to our families when they are affected by an illness in the family. Imagine having a sick child in the hospital while you as a parent struggle to balance the needs of your other children, spouse, job and community. Chai Lifeline steps in to alleviate these obstacles in many ways

When you or someone you love is sick with a life-threatening illness, a range of emotions takes over. Fear, anger and sadness effects the emotional well being of the sick child, as well as the rest of a family.

Art Therapy can help alleviate stress, anxiety and work as a coping mechanism for our Chai Lifeline families.

  • Opportunity for self-expression.
  • Helps decrease anxiety and promotes relaxation.
  • If you have cancer, it can help decrease pain and help you through your rehabilitation.
  • Participation in art therapy can give families a chance to do something positive together during a very stressful time.
  • Helps create good memories, bringing joy and growth despite circumstances.
  • A sense of play and exploration.
  • It encourages the development of healthy coping strategies.
  • It allows a child to verbally and nonverbally communicate emotions that might otherwise be abandoned or sealed from society.
  • Therapy has an ability to help a child work through difficult experiences.
  • It is capable of promoting a sense of personal independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency.
  • Therapy is capable of promoting self-expression, feelings, and emotions.

200

Sick children receiving support

2,000

Family members receiving support

“Thank you for everything Chai Lifeline has done for my family.  From when my 6 year old boy was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer, I felt supported by your team. Sara was the first face I met and she was so welcoming and kind. Sara let me know about Chai Lifeline and in the whirlwind of everything I felt blessed. She connected me with Alana my case manager who has been an unbelievable support. Alana has helped give me strength in these dark times. She has helped me build a circle of support when I need it most. It’s the little things that get you through. That early morning check in to see how your doing after countless days at the hospital, that fresh food that fuels you to get through the day, the toys that always bring a smile to Sweet Ethan’s face, the family model which includes my daughter Chloé to and that connection to the Jewish community which I thought I had lost.  I’m so grateful that Chai Lifeline exists because when you have a child with cancer your life stops abruptly, yet you have to keep going. Chai Lifeline is that glimmer of support during this time. ”

36 HOURS.

$500,000

2X MATCH!