Chai Cancer Care is the Jewish community’s national cancer support organisation, enabling patients, family and friends to manage the impact of a cancer diagnosis. We provide expert physical, emotional and practical support delivered with care and sensitivity, and in complete confidence.

What We Do

Chai Cancer Care provides an extensive range of specialised support services that include counselling, complementary and physical therapies, advocacy and advice, group and social activities. It is available for individuals, couples, families, friends, work colleagues, teens and children from as young as three.

We have 11 centres across the UK with our flagship centre in Hendon, North West London. Clients who cannot come to a Chai centre because they are recovering from surgery, currently undergoing treatment or are too unwell, can still benefit from our expertise and care through our Home Support Service. 

We can reach anybody who needs us – nationally and internationally – through our counselling and advisory services, also available via telephone and Skype. 

Each client receives tailor-made support to meet his or her individual and specific needs and is assured of complete confidentiality. Our staff are professionally trained and accredited and are experienced in working with cancer patients and their family members. 

Chai works in partnership with the NHS, social services, schools, other Jewish voluntary agencies, community groups, hospitals and hospices. We are often the link between these different agencies, enabling families to manage the many complexities that arise following a cancer diagnosis.

We also have a Medical Outpatient Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Service. This is a three-way collaboration with the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Based at Chai, this service is led by a consultant in palliative care medicine and provides a multi-disciplinary rehabilitative approach to many of the issues resulting from a cancer diagnosis.

We respond to all calls within 24 hours and do not have any waiting lists. 

There is no charge for our services and as we do not receive any statutory funding, we depend on the generosity of the community. 

Our History

There have been many milestones in our amazing history which have shaped our development. Here’s a whistle-stop journey to take you from our first days as a home-based helpline to an internationally recognised cancer support charity  

Read more:  Time to mention the C word, Susan Shipman’s personal recollections of the founding of Chai Cancer Care.