New initiative enables individuals and teams to turn local events, athletic challenges, and personal milestones into direct support for children and families facing medical crises
Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network, announced today the official launch of ChaiNation, a new digital fundraising platform designed to empower grassroots supporters to build personal campaigns and teams in support of families confronting illness and crisis.
For decades, Chai Lifeline has relied on community-driven initiatives, from neighborhood bake sales and marathon teams to school projects, to fund its year-round programs and services. ChaiNation modernizes that grassroots tradition into a unified, accessible hub, allowing anyone to launch a customized fundraising page in minutes.
The platform formalizes and scales the kinds of community-led efforts that have long fueled the organization. In May, a group of Chicago women organized a basketball tournament in memory of a friend, drawing players from across the country to raise funds for Chai Lifeline families. Over the summer, Yael of Brooklyn, New York, created a nighttime Glow Run in memory of her father, rallying her local circle to support children facing medical crises. In Los Angeles, Tirtsa, a Chai Lifeline mother, launched her own campaign and ran a half marathon to support the network that stood by her family. Whether an individual is running a 5K, organizing a pickleball tournament, or raising funds in memory of a loved one, ChaiNation provides the tools to launch their initiatives with ease.
“Our community has always been the heartbeat of Chai Lifeline,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness, the impact reaches the entire household. People constantly ask us how they can tangibly help. ChaiNation puts the tools directly into their hands, making it simple for anyone, anywhere, to take something they care about, whether a marathon, a family celebration, or a community project, and turn it into immediate relief for our families.”
ChaiNation is built to turn individual passions into tangible relief for families in crisis. Whether an organizer loves running, playing mahjong, or hosting neighborhood events, the platform provides an easy path to channel that personal energy into meaningful action. Every dollar raised through these campaigns directly powers Chai Lifeline’s vital network of programs, including case management, crisis intervention, i-Shine afterschool programming, Camp Simcha, family retreats, nourishing meals, hospital transportation, counseling, and more.
ChaiNation is open to the public. To start a fundraiser, join an existing team, or learn more, visit www.chaination.org.
