Chai Cancer Care, which provides free comprehensive, professional and expert services to any member of the Jewish community affected directly or indirectly by cancer, raised £3,006,503 during its “Big Impact Community Weekend”.
The fundraising activities kicked off on Friday with Chai’s annual “Mad Hair Day”, which saw thousands of children from 18 predominantly Jewish schools and nurseries across the UK adorn their hair with weird and wonderful styles to raise awareness for the “Chai in Schools” programme.
Chai in Schools both supports children affected by a cancer diagnosis of either themselves or someone in their family and provides teachers and SENCOs advice and training in how to respond appropriately to the child’s needs.
Jack and Summer following Friday's "Mad Hair Day", November 25, 2022
Through Friday night and Saturday, over 150 synagogues and communities from all denominations, and universities, took part in the “Chai Shabbat” to raise awareness, while kosher bakeries, butchers and grocery stores promoted Chai with over 12,000 stickers on their food items.
On Sunday, the online fundraiser began at 10am while Chai’s flagship centre in Hendon opened its doors to more than 100 children who have a family member supported by Chai. The “Chai Kids Family Fun Day” gave the children a chance to create positive memories with a photo booth, face painting, jewellery making, photo frame decorating, and hair braiding.
The amount raised shot past the charity’s original fundraising target of £1.8 million, and then again past the next target of £2.5 million.
By late Monday night, the 275 Team Hosts and close to 9000 donors from across the world had raised over £3 million.
Chai Cancer Care Chief Executive Lisa Steele, said: “”The Big Impact” reached tens of thousands of people over the whole weekend. Everyone knows someone affected by cancer, the way the community has come together to support us is remarkable.”
Emily, Dalia, Annabel, Lilia on Mad Hair Day, November 25, 2022
Funds raised will be used to support Chai’s existing services, as well as to support the 2023 rollout of the NHS BRCA (predictive genetic tests for cancer risk genes) testing of the Jewish community.
As the Jewish community’s primary cancer support organisation, Chai Cancer Care provides a wide range of services including therapies, group activities, counselling and advisory services. Chai also has a medical outpatient rehabilitation and palliative care service.
Chai is completely dependent on the generosity of donors to meet the ever-increasing need, with annual running costs of £3.5 million and rising.
Chai Chairman Louise Hager, said: “This wave of affection and recognition of what Chai means to so many people is truly inspiring.”
