A plea for Chai Lifeline: What would you do it your child had cancer?

Cedarhurst attorney Howard M. Adelsberg asks that we consider helping Chai Lifeline. His reasons are both personal and communal.

Dear Friends:

In November 2001 my wife and I were told the words no parent would ever want to hear: “Your Son Has Cancer.”

Jonah, like other children confronting serious illnesses, faced a host of challenges on numerous fronts, challenges that immeasurably compound the difficulty of their arduous struggle to combat the disease itself.

Seriously ill children need and deserve a happy and normal a childhood as possible.

Jonah is now a healthy 23-year-old and was cured with the participation of our doctors, friends and most of all Hashem. Jonah had the cancer and unfortunately the illness affected each member of the family.

Chai Lifeline was with us every step of the way. As a parent, I will never be able to fully show my appreciation to Chai Lifeline and the support they gave us during this entire ordeal.

Chai Lifeline, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children suffering from serious illness as well as their family members, stood by our side and helped Jonah and our entire family tremendously. From providing our children with big brothers and sisters, emotional support, providing us with home-cooked meals in the hospital and sending Jonah to Camp Simcha in the mountains where he always had a blast.

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As the father of a child who had cancer, I can never do enough to help the organization and that is why I am asking for your help. Chai Lifeline reaches out not only to patients, but also to parents, siblings, classmates, school faculty and the community as well.

Chai Lifeline found ways to bring joy to our lives and the lives of young patients and their families through creative, innovative, and effective family-centered programs, activities, and services. They engendered hope and optimism, especially during the bleakest of times. They provided unparalleled support throughout our son’s illness, recovery and beyond.