“The Faces of Chai Lifeline” Inspire Hope at Annual Awards Dinner

Nine hundred people crowded into the Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt New York last week to celebrate the achievements of three couples whose commitment and dedication have helped Chai Lifeline transform the lives of more than 4,300 children and their families across the globe.
"Thank you for pushing back against the devastating effects of cancer and other illnesses on children," said Samuel Zaks, executive director, development, as he welcomed the group. "Through your presence in this room and your participation in the Dinner campaign, you are changing despair into hope for Chai Lifeline´s children."

 The evening began with a salute to the Dinner and Campaign chairs, fifteen men and women who, in Mr. Zaks´ words, "cajoled, inspired, and motivated" the hundreds of guests. He personally thanked the Dinner chairs, Marlene and Dan Arbess, David and Katie Colburn, Howard and Mina Millendorf, Steve Prince, David Solomon, Jon and Eliza Weber, and Alex and Renata Weiss and Campaign chairs William Ahdout, Ken Grossman, Drew Niv and David Sakhai, partners at FXCM, the evening´s corporate sponsor, Baruch Glaubach, Nancy and Ronnie Gurman, and Mitchell Stern. He also cited the ongoing contribution of Heidi and Harvey Bookman, behind-the-scenes benefactors whose involvement has enabled Chai Lifeline to remain a leader in implementing creative and effective solutions to the challenges of pediatric illness.

Jeremy and Amy Lubcher, Pillar of Hope Award
 The contributions of longtime supporters Jeremy and Amy Lubcher were recognized with the Pillar of Hope Award, an honor given to those whose ongoing commitment sustain the optimism of the organization´s young clients and their families. Jeremy is a veteran Campaign chair whose work on the floor of the COMEX has educated and motivated many members to become involved. The Lubchers are frequent visitors to Camp Simcha, Chai Lifeline´s overnight camp for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Recalling a recent conversation, Mr. Zaks quoted the honoree. "Jeremy told me that giving to Chai Lifeline ´is probably the best thing I´ve done in my life.´ That is the caliber of the Lubchers, and indicative of the reason we are honoring them tonight."
"It´s great to make a difference. Once you get involved, you can´t help but enjoy helping other people," asserted Mr. Lubcher.

Gil and Sima Mandelzis, International  Leadership Award
Gil Mandelzis, founder and CEO of Traiana, and his wife, Sima, received the International Leadership Award for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the organization. 
"At my first meeting with Sima, we spoke about the pain and suffering of parents whose children have been diagnosed. Sima´s entire being was suffused with sorrow as we talked. You could literally see it in her eyes. They pledged to do everything possible to make the Dinner a success, and they certainly succeeded," said Mr. Zaks. 
Gil and Sima spoke in superlatives about Chai Lifeline. "I don´t think there is an organization that is as comprehensive, as compassionate, and as committed as Chai Lifeline. They have put together such an incredible organization; you can´t ignore it," said Gil.

 Leora and Gavriel Lambert Named Guests of Honor
Guests of Honor Leora and Gavriel Lambert´s acquaintance with Chai Lifeline began when they sponsored Chai Lifeline´s annual spring carnival to celebrate their son´s third birthday. Seeing the impact that the event, which drew more than 400 family members and Chai Lifeline volunteers, had on the children, they vowed to do more. Since the carnival, they have sponsored sibling retreats and motivated friends and colleagues to contribute to assure Chai Lifeline´s continued ability to change the course of children´s lives.
Mr. Zaks praised the Lamberts. "Leora and Gavriel really get it. They understand what Chai Lifeline is about. Their motivation throughout this campaign has been to make sure that they did not let our children down."   
"When you have a child, you know how precious life is. So to make a difference in the lives of these children is extremely meaningful," Leora declared.
Gavriel agreed. "There are certain things that give your life meaning. We could see the impact we were making (at the carnival).
"Every child should be able to have fun. Every child should be able to play."

Organization´s Impact Seen and Felt Through "The Faces of Chai Lifeline"
Dinner participants were transported to the world of families battling pediatric illness as four parents spoke poignantly of the trials and triumphs of their battles with pediatric cancer.

"Once your child is diagnosed with cancer, you are separated from others forever. The change affects your entire family." Renata Weiss described how a parent´s life is shattered when a child is diagnosed with cancer.
"Chai Lifeline is the life preserver of us all," she said.

Marlene Arbess recalled Chai Lifeline´s presence during the seven years that her son, Matthew, was ill.
"Matthew had a relapse six years ago. He was admitted to the hospital in the middle of the summer. No one was around, but Chai Lifeline was there. (Director of Hospital Services) Esther Schwartz was with us in the middle of the night, reassuring me that Matthew would be okay."

"Volunteers are the face of Chai Lifeline," stated Eliza Weber, whose son has been battling cancer for several years.
"They continue to amaze me. It is because of them that Luke is not a victim of cancer. He is the happiest, most cup-half-full kid we know."

Oded Grinstein and his wife came to New York in search of treatment for their daughter´s extremely rare cancer that is not available in Israel.
"We are always asked if we have any family here. And we answer that we do not. But the real answer is that we have a very big family, the Chai Lifeline family. As far away from home as we are, we are never alone.
"Today we know that had we stayed at home, our daughter would not be with us. Chai Lifeline made it possible for us to come here and have a new chance at life."