“Trials & Triumphs” premiered at the Lakewood Community Reception on July, 7 2010.

A massive crowd from Lakewood’s community attended Thursday evening’s massive display of chizuk for Chai Lifeline Lakewood at Bais Faiga Hall. The reception is an opportunity for members of the Kehila to show Hakaros Hatov to the mosad renowned for the depth, breadth and quality of its services for children and young parents that are stricken with serious life-threatening illnesses r”l and their families.

When a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening or lifelong illness, Chai Lifeline becomes their advocate. Chai lifeline’s professional staff members, complemented by more than 500 volunteers, provide two-dozen, year round programs and services that include professional case management, financial aid, counseling, tutoring for children who are out of school, respite, hot nourishing meals, housekeeping assistance, transportation, insurance support services, events and activities for siblings and much more.

“Unfortunately, the need for Chai Lifeline Lakewood keeps growing and growing,” commented Rabbi Sruli Fried, MSW. “There is scarcely a family in Lakewood that does not know someone who has been affected by serious illness. It could be a friend, neighbor, relative or chavrusah, but everyone knows someone who is being helped by Chai Lifeline.”

As a mother wrote in a note to Chai Lifeline. “As someone on the receiving end of your wonderful services, I can say that your name personifies your very essence. You have been a virtual lifeline in times of utter distress. The secret of Chai Lifeline is that you don’t only respond to the spoken request, you somehow sense what else is needed, and fill those needs too. You take the entire picture into consideration, so that when I call to ask for a specific supper for my daughter, whose diet is limited, you will always inquire “and what about you? and include a nourishing meal for me as well.

As a mother who is often required to be in CHOP at my daughter’s bedside, I can say that your trips, activities and events geared for siblings have been a real lifesaver. It means that when I have to spend long hours at the hospital, I know that my children are cared for and occupied in a productive and fun manner. It means that on Chol Hamoed they too are going on a trip, even if my husband and I are unable to take them. It means that on the endless Sunday afternoons my daughters s are kept busy and have a chance to interact with other children who can relate to their unique circumstances. It means that my boys will have something productive to do on the long Friday afternoons in the summer. And for this and so much more, I thank you”

Chai Lifeline’s programs are available free of charge to all families, which makes the tzibbur’s involvement so much more important. For more information or to make a contribution, please click HERE to visit the Chai Lifeline website.