As a family-oriented organization, we recognize the importance of forging strong connections with like-minded families. Two of our most valued relationships are with others fighting the same battle against illness in our community: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Since the first days of Chai Lifeline Lakewood, we and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have worked together to insure seamless support and comfort to Chai Lifeline families whose children are CHOP patients.
Together, we have expanded and advanced the programs provided to Jewish CHOP patients, among them events for Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, and other times of the year, a new kosher pantry and a Shabbos elevator. Our professionals have educated each other, sharing knowledge and processes that will benefit CHOP patients and their families.
According to Rachel Biblow, Senior Director of Patient and Family Services at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Our primary goal is to be supportive and inclusive of every patient and family. We would not be able to support our Jewish families to the fullest extent without our partnership with Chai Lifeline. They are an indispensable extension of our team, acting as our eyes and ears in the community so that we can work together in supporting our Jewish population during their most vulnerable times. We are better when we work together to design resources and offer support to patients and their families who rely on CHOP and Chai Lifeline when it means the most.”
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Our partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, which began in 2017, is a model of cooperation that benefits Chai Lifeline families and RCI patients. In its early stages, RCI’s senior leadership visited Chai Lifeline to meet the staff and better understand our programming for Lakewood families. Our professionals reciprocated, traveling to network with RCI social workers to discuss how we could work together.
“I am delighted about the partnership our physicians and healthcare team members have
developed with Chai Lifeline and am pleased about the opportunity to continue to serve as a vital resource to the community,” states Dr. Steven Libutti, Director of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Senior Vice President, Oncology Services for RWJBarnabas Health. “Working together, we are able to provide adult and pediatric patients with world-class cancer care in a compassionate and caring environment close to home. Patients can be confident that at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute, they have access to the latest treatment options including clinical trials, precision medicine, immunotherapy, and proton beam therapy.”
Beginning in 2017 and continuing this year, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health has sponsored the Bike4Chai medical team.
