Chai Cancer Care, the Jewish Community’s Cancer Support Organisation raised over £1.1m at its annual Dinner. The event entitled ‘360 Degrees’ was held for the third time at London’s Roundhouse and was attended by over 750 guests, raising much needed funds for Chai to provide its all-encompassing specialist support and care services to 3,074 people in the community affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Lord Young welcoming the guests said: “I would like to thank our partner, the partner without whom we simply could not exist. That partner is you, all of you who have supported us over the last 27 years. Without you we could not even have started, without you we could not have grown. You collectively are truly a senior partner, for we get no government funding and the money we spend is truly your money.”
Chai Chairman, Louise Hager spoke passionately about Chai’s all–encompassing embrace of professionalism, care and expertise that supports everyone who turns to Chai. She said: “It surrounds you from the moment you get in touch, from the moment you walk through our doors, or for those who are too unwell to come to us, the moment Chai walks through your door.”
Louise also spoke about the revolutionary ethos of Chai, which for 27 years has put Chai at the forefront of cancer care. She said: “We recognise that every person who turns to Chai will have their own specific needs, which is why each service is chosen deliberately so that the patient or their loved ones gets the right care and the right service for as long as they need it. The cancer journey changes throughout, often unexpectedly, and we match those twists and turns, always with the ultimate aim to empower our clients to deal with whatever set of circumstances they may face. Be it a new diagnosis, after surgery and during treatment, adjusting to life post-treatment or following a bereavement.
For many it will be a different life. A life they did not choose. But a life in which they can find meaning and purpose.
And now almost three decades later it is indeed heartening that so much of the mainstream approach to cancer care, adopted by many of the country’s largest charities, is now following our lead.”
Guests were then shown the appeal film entitled ‘The Wonder of Chai’, featuring a whirlwind of emotions and feelings, of families and relationships. The film can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT8S1Du2ZPs&feature=youtu.be
Later in the evening, the Gat Brothers, runners up in Israel’s X Factor, The Rising Star, got the audience on their feet, capturing their hearts with their harmonic renditions of ‘Come Together’, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Sound of Silence’.