Chai Lifeline Canada
300A Wilson Ave M3H 1S8 Toronto, ON, Canada

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and following the lead of the women and moms in our Chai family, we honour the call for advocacy and outreach, because as Renee,@mscmommylife life says, "everyone knows about breast cancer." Renee, Stage IV Breast Cancer Thriver, offers some advice to us all that we can do this month (and always): Learn how to do breast self-exams and DO them.... Learn about breast cancer research as it's the only way to find a cure. Check in on your friends who have or have had breast cancer. October can be particularly overwhelming. Checking in is part of what we do and that includes phone calls, social visits and playdates...with or without chocolate, but we recommend with. #breastcancerawareness #breastcancer #breastcancerawarenessmonth #checkonyourfriends #thriver #cancerthriver #youngbreastcancer #cancerstories #livingwithcancer

We have supported and loved many children and their families who have taken on warrior status in their battle against cancer. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we’ve been sharing the stories of our paediatric cancer warriors on our social media channels all month. While each baby, child and teen have a unique story and perspective, they also have quite a lot in common personal strength and resilience, support and love from family and a community of care that... includes physicians, nurses, therapists and us....and you. The link will take you to the blog post with the #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth stories of our Chai Warriors. From there look around on our site for all the ways that you can join us to #fightillnesswithlove . https://chailifelinecanada.org/childhoodcancerawarenessmon/ #childhoodcancerawareness #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #childhoodcancersurvivor #childhoodcancerresearch #childhoodcancersupport #childhoodcancerwarriors #chailifeline #whatwedo #whywedowhatwedo #chailifelinecanada

Meet Marky - a 6 year old Nintendo enthusiast who just started grade 1. He is also a 3 time cancer survivor. On May 21, 2017, at only 3 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. Overnight he was transformed from a happy, thriving little boy to a very sick, unrecognizable version of himself laying in a hospital bed in the ICU. He battled hard through 15 months of intense chemotherapy and lived most of this time on the 8th floor of Sick Kids Hosp...ital. He endured hundreds of doses of chemo and transfusions and suffered through countless infections and complications. Just when it seemed like we could see the end of the road for his treatment, we were shocked to learn that his cancer had relapsed - July 21, 2018, exactly 14 months after his initial diagnosis. Marky was headed down the long and painful road of a bone marrow transplant. He fought hard for his life every single day - through more tough rounds of chemo, a variety of complications and a transplant that left him frail, exhausted and with a poor quality of life. Six months later, the day after his 5th birthday, we heard the unimaginable news that his stubborn cancer had returned once more. For the first time since his diagnosis, we were given the choice, did we want to continue with treatment. Thankfully, Marky was a candidate for the newest form of treatment for blood cancer called CAR-T cell therapy. He was only the 14th patient in Canada to receive this therapy. The road to CAR-T would be a long and narrow one with many places where it may fail. We pushed through, "Marky style" and never gave up hope or determination. On June 10th, 2019, Marky received his CAR-T cells. Fast forward 18 months and Marky is feeling better than he has since that dreaded day back in 2017. He is once again thriving and happy and most importantly, CANCER FREE! This week he started grade 1 with all of his friends and classmates. While he is still fighting through dozens of long term side effects from years of treatment, we are grateful for everyday, every moment and every smile we see on his sweet little face. There were many dark days throughout his journey and many times hope felt far away, Marky fought like a warrior and we all dug deep to push him through. Cancer stole many days, weeks and months from us but we came through the other side a little stronger, a little braver and with an appreciation for life, love and all the moments in between. Heidi, Marky’s mom #childhoodcancerawareness #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #childhoodcancersurvivor #childhoodcancerresearch #childhoodcancersupport #childhoodcancerwarriors #chailifeline #whatwedo #whywedowhatwedo #chailifelinecanada

24 and sunny in Toronto means that’s it’s a perfect perfect day for birthday visit. #chailifeline #chailifelinecanada #happybirthday #birthdayvibes #birthdayvisit #covidbirthday

Meet Ariel. He was born as Idan, but very shortly after his birth we understood he needs a boost to keep him alive. We changed his name to Ari-El (God’s lion). It helped! Our lion received the strength he needed. He fought tooth and nails for years, but he won! Ariel was born in September. Little did we know it’ll also be the month to raise awareness for the disease that almost took him away from us.... We are grateful for the research, developments and achievements that allows us to wake up every single morning with our little child by our side. - Yael, Ariel’s mom Happy Birthday Ariel! from your Chai family #childhoodcancerawareness #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #childhoodcancersurvivor #childhoodcancerresearch #childhoodcancersupport #childhoodcancerwarriors #chailifeline #whatwedo #whywedowhatwedo #chailifelinecanada

For Alana, beading is more than a hobby and her beads are more than beautiful accessories. She puts love into each personalized piece she creates and raises funds and awareness for Chai Lifeline Canada. When you can turn something that you love, into something that someone else loves and also give love to children and families...that's a whole lotta love. We're sending right back to Alana and sharing her #giveback story on our blog. https://chailifelinecanada.org/shesgott...heneedtobead/ #chailifelinecanada #chailifeline #alanasbracets #chaifamily #teamlifeline #dogood #goals #helpingothers #community #givewhereyoulive #needtobead

It’s #worldgratitudeday and we could not be more grateful. Chai Lifeline Canada has been recognized by the Government of Canada @esdc.edsc with the Canada Volunteer Award in the category of Social Innovation. The Awards celebrate Canadian individuals and organizations who make a difference in their communities by meeting specific challenges with solutions and support through volunteering. With a network of more than 600 volunteers across Canada who dedicate their time, energy..., resources and compassion, Chai Lifeline Canada is proud to accept this award that honours our collective efforts to support children and families whose lives have been changed by illness. Our mission to provide programs and services to families who are facing life-threatening and lifelong illness relies on the benevolence of volunteers who step in and step up every day. When we look at our volunteers we see a true reflection of our entire community. It includes young children setting up lemonade stands, bake sales and toy drives, teens as big brothers and big sisters, adults making meals, delivering packages and offering professional support and programs. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to support a family in crisis. Our volunteers, at every age and stage of life, ask what can I do? How can I help? What do you need? They show up to offer their time, their expertise, their cars, their kitchens and their homes. Most of all, they come with their big hearts and our children and families are held tight with love as they battle illness. This is exactly why we say that Chai Lifeline fights illness with love and we do it together. Ready to volunteer and help us fight illness with love? Link in bio. #volunteer #wefightilnesswithlove #chailifeline #chailifelinecanada #bigsiblings #bigbrother #bigsister #givewhereyoulive

As you prepare to dip your apples in the honey, we hope you look back on the year with sweet memories. From our Chai Lifeline Canada family, we wish you and yours a year ahead filled with love, health and happiness. #chailifeline #chailifelinecanada #shanatova #roshhashana #applesandhoney #healthandhappiness #newyear #happynewyear

Hi! My name is Sammy Belitzky and I am 17 years old. In 2017 I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. As hard as my cancer journey was, I am proud to be a survivor in hopes to share my story for those who are struggling, will struggle or have lost their battle. Cancer is only going to be a chapter in my life, not my whole story, but will shape the life I live from this day on. Beauty to me is no longer defined by my looks, my hair or my massive scars but rather by the st...rength I have, the person I am and the beautiful family, friends and strangers I am lucky enough to be surrounded by. This is something that has truly taken me a long time to believe. My scars may heal, blood counts may normalize, years may pass but never again will the simple act of waking up to a normal boring day as a healthy individual be taken for granted or go unappreciated. One never truly knows how strong they are, until being strong is the only option. I hope to inspire people to care a little less about the small things in life, be a little more care free and live each day to the fullest. There is so much more love, beauty and kindness in a world of sick children than what is seen to the eye. This my journey and I am so proud to be sharing it and celebrating 3 years cancer free! #childhoodcancerawareness #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #childhoodcancersurvivor #childhoodcancerresearch #childhoodcancersupport #childhoodcancerwarriors #chailifeline #whatwedo #whywedowhatwedo #chailifelinecanada

When it’s almost fall but still feels like summer, you have a treehouse play date. #chailifelinecanada #chailifeline #jackofalltrades #nicehat

I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain stem astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer, in November of 2013. I was 10 years old. I went through months of chemotherapy, which failed to shrink my tumour. My only chance of survival was to have my inoperable tumour operated on. It was an incredibly risky surgery, given the location and nature of my tumour. After an 8+ hour surgery, my amazing neurosurgeon was able to debunk most of the tumour. That was 6 years ago...I am now 17... and off chemo, but still living with a brain tumour that is deemed chronic and the challenges that come with it. I go to the hospital regularly for appointments and MRI scans to make sure my tumour is stable, to confirm I’m able to continue without chemotherapy. I am now going into my last year of high school, and I continue to fiercely advocate for childhood cancer. Throughout my whole journey, Chai Lifeline was always by my side, whether at home, in clinic or in my hospital room. I always say, the doctors saved my life, but Chai Lifeline saved my childhood. - Jess Rosenbloom, @onetoughcookieclub #childhoodcancerawareness #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #braintumor #braincancer #astrocytoma #childhoodcancerresearch #childhoodcancersupport #childhoodcancerwarriors #chailifeline #whatwedo #whywedowhatwedo #chailifelinecanada #chailifeline #onetoughcookie #onetoughcookiecluv

When asked her why she wanted to do this fundraiser, 10 year-old Emma said, because I like helping people. One sunny Sunday afternoon in August, Emma set up shop at the edge of her driveway to sell her brightly coloured and individually packaged handmade bracelets to raise money for Chai Lifeline Canada. Giving back to the community is something we talk about at home, but it’s also something she learns about at Hebrew school and at summer camp. Explains Karen, Emma’s mot...her. Emma really wanted to fundraise this summer for an organization that helps children. We have seen Facebook posts from families who have received support from Chai Lifeline and when we shared those details with Emma, she decided that Chai Lifeline was the charity she wanted to support. Thank you Emma! We are so inspired when we see people pair their talent with their heart to make a difference in the community. #chailifeline #chailifelinecanada #giveback #givewhereyoulive #makingadifference

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - a time to highlight the horrible disease that changed our lives in an instant. This time last year my sweet Ethan was in the hospital getting chemotherapy to battle his cancer. I try to blur out last year and all that has happened to my Sweet Ethan. January 14th was the first time we heard the scary words that my son has brain cancer which spread to his spine. The floor beneath me crumbled. He was rushed into an 8-hour brain su...rgery, followed by 3 more head surgeries (one of which was to put in his permanent shunt), a port surgery, 30 high dose proton radiation treatments at St. Judes Children’s Hospital, a clinical trial to save his life, 7 months of chemo therapy, 2 more port surgeries, pic line and an infection in his head which ended in another surgery. It was almost 13 months of treatment all together. It was the hardest time of our lives. The fear of it coming back is always lurking in the back of my mind. Every three months Ethan gets an MRI of his brain and spine and a lumbar puncture to monitor him. Thank god he has no evidence of disease. But this isn’t just about Sweet Ethan this is about all the parents being told right at this very second that there precious child has cancer, the child fighting in the hospital, the parent praying while their child is in remission, the children taken to soon by this ugly disease, the beautiful angels and the children making memories. So grateful for the support along the way from Chai Lifeline - always there with a smile, kind words and support. - Cindi Shoot, Ethan’s mom #childhoodcancerawareness #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #childhoodcancer #childhoodcancersurvivor #childhoodcancerresearch #childhoodcancersupport #childhoodcancerwarriors #chailifeline #whatwedo #whywedowhatwedo #chailifelinecanada #gogold #sweetethan #medullblastomasurvivor #septemberwegogold #ourkidsareworthmorethan4 #stjudeheroes #stjudechildrensresearchhospital @stjude

A few months into COVID19, Josh Sud and Lexie Cooper reimagined their plans for their summer before starting law school in September. With their plans to go to Israel with Birthright derailed, they found themselves with unexpected time and energy on their hands and they got involved with @ujagenesis Community Accelerator Program. Recognizing that COVID19 has impacted everyone, Josh and Lexie were eager to provide support to those who were particularly vulnerable. They launche...d a campaign to raise money to create arts and crafts packages for our teens. With great support from their family and friends, AandC for CLC came together quickly and with the support of Chai volunteers, gifts were delivered to the doors of our teens in Toronto and Montreal. Read more on our blog. https://chailifelinecanada.org/the-art-of-giving-back/ Thank you Josh and Lexie! #chailifeline #chailifelinecanada #community #volunteers #giveback #givewhereyoulive