Making a ‘Big Impact’ on cancer in our community
Chai Cancer Care hosts its essential annual fundraiser this weekend. Some donated by challenging themselves
Our community is blessed. Owing to the efforts of numerous people in so many different charitable organisations, there is a place to go for help and understanding that is specific to your needs. Too many to list, these philanthropic bodies can’t perform miracles, particularly in matters of health, but they will steer, advise and most importantly listen when assistance isn’t available elsewhere. Some people have an intimate relationship with these charities, while others will know them only by name and occasional donations. Few, however, will pass through life untouched by cancer, which is why the work of Chai Cancer Care resonates with so many.
With 1,000 new cancer cases diagnosed every day in the UK, the disease in its many forms is part of our life or the life of someone close to us, and as the Jewish community’s national cancer support organisation, Chai fulfils a role that is impossible to quantify. Providing specialised support services including counselling, complementary and physical therapies, advocacy and advice, group and social activities in 11 centres across the UK, the charity is entirely reliant on voluntary contributions and needs to bring in £3.5m a year to remain open. This is disconcerting, because it is needed desperately, so when lockdown cancelled Chai’s ‘big push’ annual dinner of November 2020, the decision to run it virtually was unavoidable. That £3m was raised in 36 hours via a live broadcast from Chai HQ is a testament to the support the charity has.
“Support for Chai comes in so many forms,” says Lisa Steele, who began as a volunteer counsellor and is now chief executive. “From baking to running, climbing mountains, and cutting hair, the amazing commitment and creativity of our fundraisers and the generosity of their supporters means so much to everyone at Chai and all those affected by a cancer diagnosis.”
Coby Bull loves a fundraising challenge and has done marathons and swum across the open waters of Alcatraz to complete them. But in April 2020, he set himself the ultimate test: to raise £5,000 in honour of his beloved grandmother Daniele, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2017. Having seen the wonderful things that Chai does for her, he was determined to complete a gruelling challenge of husky sledging for five days across the highlands, forests and winter terrain of Lapland.
As well as physical training, the challenge required huge mental stamina and, whilst nothing could prepare him for icicle-forming temperatures of -20°C, he smashed his fundraising target on day one. Coby’s photographs were sold at an exhibition held by Chai and, alongside activities they might not have otherwise online donations, he raised over £25,000.
So, what’s next? “Maybe an ironman. Or a desert trek,” says Coby. “In truth I’d really love to sail across across the highest peaks in England in
the Atlantic, but I think my wife would divorce me!”
During the lockdown in August 2020, while many put their feet up, the feet of Richard Owen and his sporty grandsons George, 17 and Harry, 14, were in motion as they took part in a marathon in memory of his wife, and their grandma, Susie, who died in May 2020. With many sports halls closed, Saracens offered its athletics track. More than £30,000 was raised and a beautiful garden for reflection was built in Susie’s honour, which was a fitting tribute for all the invaluable Chai care and support the family received.
In August 2021, Natasha Freiberger and sisters Naii and Rebecca wanted to mark the 10 years since losing a sibling to cancer by completing the Thames Bridges Trek, a 25km route covering 16 bridges. Along the six-hour route, there were intense moments of reflection, including a stop-off
for a cheeky G&T. It bucketed down on the day, but the rain didn’t stop them from raising £15,000, with Natasha hoping to fundraise again in the future.
Claire Krushner comes from a large family, many of whom have been affected by varying forms of cancer, including her
mother, Lorraine. Chai had been a source of great comfort
and support to all the family. Then Claire’s cousin Gemma
was cruelly diagnosed with liver and bowel cancer.
“I just had to do something,” said Claire. “I’ve always been known for my long hair, so I decided to cut it for charity. Whilst it felt such a small thing for me to do, I knew the huge impact it could have by providing a wig for someone else.” Claire raised £7,500 for Chai and seemingly set a great example to son Charlie, who decided to grow (and grow) his hair and chop it off for charity too. Between them they have raised around £10,000.
When Alexandra Maurice’s sister-in-law, Amanda, was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, she felt passionately about doing something to raise money, but it had to be incredible. In 2014, Chai partnered with Charity Challenge, the world’s leading fundraising challenge operator, and formed a new project: Chai Challenges YOU, encouraging people to take part in a wide range of physical fundraising challenges and activities they might not have otherwise considered.
Alexandra became an ambassador for these Chai challenges, walking 24 hours, trekking across Iceland and summiting Mount Snowdon. “It’s not just a fitness thing – you have to be mentally strong,” says Alexandra. “Everything is heightened at altitude, and it can make you highly emotional. We have a summit tradition now where a ‘chai’ is formed from rocks, and it gets me every time.” Chai’s Lisa Steele was amongst the ‘Kili crew’ and having a face from the organisation there really heightened the connection to the cause.
“ The driving factor is that we are all doing it for someone,” says Alexandra. “Ten days of doing something hard and challenging is nothing compared to what our loved ones might be going through longer periods of time. We all have that in common.” On the most recent trek, across the Moroccan Atlas mountains, the bonding experience reached a peak for Alexandra as she was joined by her daughter Pearl, alongside others who had their daughters with them.
The bonding through fundraising for Chai is a benefit to all who take part. At the London marathon in October, ten dedicated runners made up Team Chai and raised more than £39,000. The 10th Anniversary Rosh Hashanah Gift Sale was another success, bringing in £32,000. Chai’s work goes beyond person-to-person care. Through NHS England, it has partnered with the charity Jnetics to promote a new programme of genetic testing that will be launched next year to identify individuals with a BRCA gene fault and detect tumours earlier, so they are easier to treat.
On Sunday 27th November Chai is hosting a Family Fun Day at the flagship centre in Hendon, but the entire weekend revolves around the charity’s Big impaCt Campaign which is about pledging money to enable the crucial services offered to continue.
Vist: https://chaicancercare.org/
Pledge: https://www.charityextra.com/chai
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