Chai Lifeline's guiding principles are: seriously ill children need and deserve as happy and normal a childhood as possible; illness affects each member of the family; the well-being of an ill child is impacted by the well-being of his or her family; and pediatric illness can have a devastating financial effect on families.

With this in mind, Chai Lifeline strives to

• Find ways to bring joy to the lives of our young patients and their families through creative, innovative, and effective family-centered programs, activities, and services;
• Engender hope and optimism in children, families, and communities;
• Educate and involve communities in caring for ill children and their families;
• Provide unparalleled support throughout the child's illness, recovery, and beyond;
• Offer all services free of charge to ensure that every family has access to the programs it needs;
• Embody the ideals of compassion, kindness, and caring for others inherent in Jewish culture and life.