The main focus of the Hayim Association's activities centers on its promotion of pediatric cancer research and treatment in Israel.
A large part of the medical progress in this field has occurred due to the use of the state of the art equipment acquired with the help of the association.
The association has positioned permanent social services personnel in pediatric oncology departments across the country, who identify the needs in the field and provide an immediately solution on a daily basis.
As well as the crisis caused by the diagnosis itself, one of the parents is often forced to leave their job in order to dedicate themselves to providing close supervision and care for their child during treatments.
The second parent often continues to work, while also remaining committed to caring for the other siblings at home, ensuring that their daily routine is maintained as far as possible.
The following services are offered: On Passover eve and the Jewish New Year, the Hayim Association provides holiday meals in the pediatric oncology departments across Israel.
Within the framework of the project, sick children who are forced to remain in hospital during the holidays can invite their families to celebrate around a special festive table near the child's bed.
This meal provides warmth and love, and sweetens the holiday atmosphere for the sick children and their families, as well as giving them strength, even if just a little.
Many families with sick children don't have a private car, and the child's health does not allow them to travel by public transportation, due to their compromised immune system.
The Hayim Association has provided assistance in obtaining reimbursements and even fully funding transportation costs in cases where the family's Health Maintenance Organization does not participate.
Then they must cope with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, transplants, surgery, and lengthy hospitalizations, and they require intensive care and close help.
The link between cancer and teeth can be seen in two specific ways: Consequently, dental care forms an essential and vital component in the child's overall treatment.
Despite the critical importance of dental care in children with cancer, the issue does not receive a satisfactory response from Israels healthcare system.
The Hayim Association also supports the Israeli Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology vis-à-vis medical protocols in Israel and abroad in financing the funding of a data manager (to join the American Children's Oncology Group (COG), in financing ISPHO [1] conferences, and professional psycho-social forums designed to compare and evaluate the treatment of children across Israel.
It is distinguished by its activity in identifying actual needs at the individual and collective level, and for matching projects that provide a satisfactory response to the needs of children and their supporting environment.
In recognition of its activities, the Hayim Association was awarded the 2002 Alon Prize for its “Outstanding Pioneering Act” and for its contribution to society in Israel.