Cancer Doesn't Take a Holiday

Happy the Thanksgiving craziness is over?  But wait!  There's more. To prepare for the winter holidays, there's Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and today: Giving Tuesday.  All very well and good but here's the fact: Cancer doesn't take a holiday.

When you have cancer, the best gifts fight and ease the effects of the disease, provide comfort and hope, allow for families to focus on each other rather than the minutia of their "new normal", and provide moments of peace and joy despite uncertainty and fear.

As you prepare for the holidays ahead, we hope you will embrace the giving spirit of the season by finding a place in your heart for the families who rely on our critical support services, and making a donation to the Ellie Fund (here) now or in the future.

Because cancer doesn't take a holiday, your gift is equally important to us on a Thursday in March as it is this December.  And any time you make a donation in honor of a loved one or friend, it's our pleasure to send a special card that gratefully acknowledges your gift, and explains how your donation directly benefits a local family in need. 



 

Meet Some of Our Awesome Breast Cancer Warriors

Really Cool Boys Wear Pink! Andrew Schiller, Matt Lunt, and Colin Kelleher, all seventh grade students at Taunton Catholic Middle School, came up with the idea to ask for a PINK dress down day this October in honor of breast cancer survivors and their families.

The home room reps took the idea to the student counsel and voted. Passing unanimously, every student who dressed down on October 25 wore something pink and donated a dollar to the Ellie Fund to help local families who are struggling with breast cancer treatment.

Every student who donated was given an Ellie Fund car magnet and you can find the magnets on many of the lockers. The boys are proud of their efforts and so many of their fellow classmates who supported their idea, helping to raise $450. Way to go guys. You make pink look good!

HOLY GUACAMOLE As part of our Do Good Campaign last month, Qdoba in Wellesley pledged to raise $1,000 by donating $1 for every naked burrito or taco sold by the end of the month. Much to our delight, they worked with their staff and guests to exceed that commitment and raised $1,500! Thanks Qdoba!

 

 

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month this October, the Merck Millipore Corporate Foundation ran a fun "Go Pink!" photo contest where employees were asked to show their support of a local breast cancer nonprofit by dressing in their favorite best pink apparel.

Susan Hoag (front row, in sassy pink pants) works within the Maintenance Contract Sales Department of Laboratory Solutions - Laboratory Water Division of EMD Millipore and pledged to win this contest to support the Ellie Fund and the families we serve. (Lab Water provides world-class water purification systems and services.)

Susan coordinated the photo and chose the Ellie Fund to be the charity beneficiary of their efforts. Thanks to her dedication and enthusiastic commitment to our mission, their photo photo included in-house personnel including Technical Service; Finance; Custom Products; Clinical; Service Logistics; Marketing; Maintenance Contract Sales; Administrative Assistant and their enthusiastic and fabulous Head of North American Sales (wearing the cape!) and WON FIRST PLACE. 

Susan organized the photoshoot for a day and time that allowed additional people in field to join in, as everyone wanted to show their support!  Their Service Managers participated along with a training class of Field Service Engineers and in total, they had a team of 48 employees, including their photographer and a Vince Wilfork cut-out. (He's a staple in their cafes during football season - EMD Millipore works with him and represents his diabetes foundation.)

The winning photo earned the Ellie Fund a $375 donation and the participants will be treated to a free pizza party lunch. Thanks so much Susan!

 

 

 

 

Out Living It

Fellow young adult cancer survivors on the 3-day Lares Trek
through the Andes Mountains of Peru.
October 2012

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.”  (Bernice Johnson Reagon)

Here at the Ellie Fund, we love to feature and support organizations that fight against cancer right along side us.

The cancer journey for me personally has been one of self-discovery.  I thought I knew who I was and where my life was heading, but it wasn't until I had to face cancer and my own mortality that I truly learned what living was about.  I didn't do this on my own however.  I needed help getting to that point where I could let go of the anger, the frustration, the guilt, and the vulnerability and move on.  The help came in the form of a Colorado-based, non-profit organization called First Descents. 

First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same. In 2012, they held rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and surfing programs in the U.S., South America, and Central America. 

I've taken part in 4 First Descents' camps since 2009.  I have learned to whitewater kayak on rivers in Montana, Colorado, and Idaho.  This past October I went on a 10 day journey to Peru where I rafted the Apurimac River, completed a 3-day Lares Trek through the Andes Mountains in which I climbed to an elevation of 15,016 feet, and visited Machu Picchu along side 11 other young adult cancer survivors and several First Descents' staff members, including the founder of this amazing organization, Brad Ludden.

First Descents has truly changed my life.

Because of First Descents, I am able to trust my body again and realize that I am now even stronger than I was pre-cancer.  I have done things that I never would have even considered doing pre-cancer.  I can kayak class III rapids with confidence and climb 3,000 feet in vertical elevation on my own two feet; I can LIVE.  I can live in the moment and not dwell on the past and worry too much about the future.  The road to the discovery of my true self has been an amazing one.

For more information about First Descents, visit www.firstdescents.org.  You can also email me at ameis@verizon.net. 

First Descents Whitewater Kayaking trip to Glacier National Park
in Montana 2009

Ellie Fund Do Good Partner Spotlight: AMP Agency

We love it when a company walks its talk. AMP Agency is doing just that this month with their 100+ employees participating in fun and easy activities to raise money and awareness for the Ellie Fund!

AMP is an integrated communications agency based in Boston’s North End that works with clients like Hasbro, Maybelline NY and the NFL Players Association.  Here are just a few of the ideas they’ve created to support us this month:

Drink Pink:

October started with fabulous event featuring pink cocktails and the marketing team sharing information about our mission that helped the rest of the team psyched to participate.

Think Pink

Last Tuesday AMP dressed in pink for Trivia Night at Porters Bar and Grill. Each point scored earned a $1 donation to the Ellie Fund.  (We’re luckily they’re so smart and competitive!)

Dress Pink

Throughout the month AMP is holding a pink clothing competition. Every time someone wears pink to work, AMP donates to the Ellie Fund. 

Pink agrees with you ladies!

AMP Creative Designers

Roberto leads the charge, promising to wear pink EVERY day for 31 days. Looking Good by Doing Good indeed!

And to make sure everyone at AMP would participate, they even made stickers for anyone who didn't own pink in their wardrobe.  

We think Abby looks particularly fetching in her Do Good collar.

Celebrate Pink

This week AMP is hosting an employee outing to celebrate the team’s efforts in the Do Good Campaign. We’ll be on hand to say thank you and help give out awards to those AMPers who raised the most money through trivia, wearing pink, and more.

To learn more about AMP, visit www.ampagency.com

Welcome Rachel!

We are honored to introduce you to our new Director of Development, Rachel Segien. The third full-time member of our fundraising team, Rachel will be in charge of new business development, sponsorships and more.

Rachel has been a friend of the Ellie Fund since 2008 when she and her husband Matt hosted a bowling event in memory of Matt's Mom to benefit our mission.  She stayed in touch over the years, and helped with sponsor solicitation for last year's Oscar Night Boston Gala.  When we asked if she would ever leave the corporate world, she replied only if it were to work for the Ellie Fund.  Voila! Our great partnership was born.

Originally from Vermont, Rachel's a Northeastern Univeristy alumna who focused her career on radio sales before moving to AMP Agency where she thrived as their Director of Business Development. 

Her quick wit, can-do attitude, and wicked sense of humor fit right in with our team, plus she's ridiculously smart, strategic, and passionate about our mission.  We look forward to Rachel helping us reach our $1M goal by 2015.  To send her a friendly welcome or inquire about her love of cats, Newport, RI or cheese, you can reach her at rsegien@elliefund.org.

We Are One

"Be the Change You Wish to See in the World."

~Ghandi



I can't let this week go by without reflecting on the tragic events that happened 11 years ago.  I am sure you remember where you were when you heard the news; I don't think that is something that is ever forgotten.  I was teaching a fifth grade math class in Dover, MA when the principal walked in, and without a word, handed me a note.  I can still feel that pit in my stomach grow as I watched and listened to the events of September 11, 2001 unfold that day and in the weeks that followed.

There is something else I cannot forget about that time either.  I remember the acts of compassion, kindness, and selflessness that were demonstrated on that day in particular and in the days, weeks, and months afterwards.  We all found ourselves part of something bigger than just us as individuals.  We were a family, a community.  We were strong and found strength in each other.  We found the courage to survive in the face of tradegy.  We were reminded that we are in this world together, and together we can make a difference.

 

Let us never forget that sense of community we all felt then and hopefully still feel today. 

The Power of Team

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

Epstein, Lipsey & Clifford was proud to once again sponsor the Real Men Wear Pink Team in the Sharon Sprint Triathlon August 14 at Lake Massapoag in Sharon, MA.

Yes, I, Scott Clifford, got in the water again and faced my very real fear of drowning. This is no joke. The first year I competed, in 2010, there was the story of my son asking "Mom, did Dad drown?" because it took me nearly 32 minutes to finally finish the swim portion of the race, which is what happens when you swim 1/2 mile doing the "Chicken, Airplane, Soldier" [the basic back stroke taught to kids] and have a panic attack in the water.

Although last year was better, I still had a serious panic attack in the water. No one will ever confuse me for Michael Phelps but in the same breath no one will ever confuse me for someone that does not care.

When we founded the Team in 2010, we raised money for the Scleroderma Foundation in memory of Karen Jenkins who courageously battled the wretched disease for nearly 14 years.

We learned about the Ellie Fund in 2011 when our friend Jennifer Gresham was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our team of eight was honored when our friends and family helped us raise more than $12,500 to support local families fighting breast cancer. 

It was in the spirit of caring that we competed again this year for the Ellie Fund. This year our team grew to 15 members and we raised nearly $15,000. I'm also proud to share that I didn't have a panic attack in the water this year.  It's amazing what the power of team can accomplish.

I cannot begin to explain the overwhelming pride that each and every one of us feels knowing that our efforts are going to directly benefit fifteen families whose lives have been forever changed by breast cancer. 

Sincere thanks from the entire team for the support of our friends, family and colleagues who donated so generously: Tim Jenkins, Dan Warsowick, Brian Jenkins, Dave Gresham, Brian Pfingston, Ralph Deberardinis, Nancy Clifford, Tara McDonough, Elizabeth Riley, Steven Pavidis, Jay McDonough, Fiona Martin and me. 

Dave Gresham and his kids

Calm After the Storm

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes from fellow breast cancer warrior, Elizabeth Edwards. Life is full of storms. From hurricanes all the way down to the small rain shower, we have all found ourselves in the midst of something that threatens the safety, security, and foundation we have built our lives on. Going through life, we all have a basic outline as to how we want our lives to play out. Sometimes these storms come out of nowhere and into our lives, like a thunderstorm in the summer.

Breast cancer was a full-blown, unwelcomed monsoon that came into my life with no warning. All of the sudden I found myself standing in the middle of this storm, wondering which way I should go. How do I get out of this storm? Where can I take cover? I couldn’t run. I had to face it head on and ride it out, doing whatever I had to do to keep myself safe and protected. I did what I had to do to save my life – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and more surgery. Those were all part of the storm, waves that I had to swim through to get to the other side.

Now that I am through my “storm of the decade,” I have perspective on what I went through. I adjusted my sails in the storm and chose a new route. This new route I am on is so much more fulfilling. It’s full of love, selflessness, and compassion. One of the best things to come from this storm, has been the ability to work for The Ellie Fund. The Ellie Fund was my umbrella through my storm, keeping me dry and protected. I have now made a life of doing as much good in the world as I can. It feels good. I love the new route I am on and wouldn’t trade it for anything right now.

This week marks the 5th anniversary of my very last radiation treatment which wrapped up the active treatment phase of my cancer journey. The two pictures below were taken exactly 5 years apart...one from that summer 5 years ago and one from this summer.



Here we are in August 2007:
Collin is so little at just 8 months old and Jeffrey is 3.

And here we are in August 2012:
Collin is 5 1/2 and Jeffrey is 8.





 To everyone who's helped us get to this point: Thanks and Cheers to the next five years!

Anne Meisner (anne@elliefund.org)

Movin' On Up

Ok, it’s actually just across the hall, but still! We are excited! The past month has been a month of physical growth for The Ellie Fund. Not only did we add another Patient Services and Database Coordinator but we also moved our office! The address remains the same but this office is nothing like our old one. For starters it is HUGE (better yet, our old office was tiny)! We basically doubled our square footage from the previous one and added separate work spaces for each of us. All of us now have privacy and s-p-a-c-e to do our work.

We are still putting the finishing touches on each space but here is a sneak peek at what one of the spaces looked like

before

and after!

 

Now we can focus on our mission to help and support women and their families during breast cancer threatment!

Time to Blog!

Welcome to our BLOG! We know what you’re thinking: It’s about TIME the Ellie Fund had a blog! Well, yes, it IS about time. We’ve been busier than ever lately. Over the past two weeks we added a new colleague and moved our office. And now that we’re (almost) done with that, we have time: To be more efficient, thanks to the new phone system. To hear ourselves think, thanks to the divided workspaces. (Previously, five of us shared 500 square feet.) To help more breast cancer patients and families than ever before, thanks to our new staff member. And yes, finally…time to blog. 

Say Hello to AnneAnne Meisner, from Natick, MA, is our new Patient Services & Database Coordinator. You’ve seen this photo of her on our website from when she was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. Anne will be working with Director of Patient Services Gail Fine taking care of patient needs, and creating, maintaining and nurturing our new database.

Anne is no stranger to the Ellie Fund. She was one of the first patients I worked with when I started our current program, was the first speaker at our inaugural Kelley for Ellie fashion show, has been a dedicated event volunteer, Board Member, and great friend. She’s also a strong supporter of First Descents and Sharsheret. We’re thrilled to have her on Team Ellie! You can reach her at anne@elliefund.org.