Spring 2017 Newsletter
April 19, 2017
"A Sense of Hope"
A note from Scott Dorsey, Ellie Fund Board Member
 
My wife, Courtney, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37. This news would turn anyone's life upside down, but we had four children under the age of four at the time: a four-year-old, a three-year-old and six-month-old twins. I knew that Courtney needed to focus on herself and the challenges that come with the diagnosis. I also knew there was no way she could accomplish that until our children were taken care of first.

The ability to cover daycare expenses on one less salary, preparing meals, cleaning the house and keeping up with the laundry seemed to be insurmountable tasks. It didn't take us long to come to realize that we needed help. 

Shortly after submitting our request, the Ellie Fund called us and immediately helped to reduce the day-to-day stress. This amazing organization and these amazing people, whom we had never met, were there for us. They assisted us in covering our childcare expenses, they gave us gift cards to purchase groceries and they sent over healthy, prepared meals. 

It was the first time that we thought, "OK, maybe we can do this." The Ellie Fund gave us a sense of hope, which was the first uplifting feeling that we had experienced in weeks.

We were fortunate to have family close by and incredibly helpful friends and neighbors. My employers allowed me to modify my work schedule so that I could accompany Courtney to her chemotherapy treatments and appointments. Many of the families and the individuals who the Ellie Fund support do not have family or support systems located close by. Most do not have employers who are as supportive. 

No one ever budgets for cancer and the financial, physical and emotional burdens that accompany a diagnosis. For these families and individuals, assistance from the Ellie Fund is crucial. It has been four years since the Ellie Fund assisted our family and we will be forever grateful for their support. 

Please consider a donation to the Ellie Fund or join us at their events throughout the year, such as the upcoming 5 for Ellie on Wednesday, June 7 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. These events help to ensure that patients receive the support, the care and the hope that is essential in their recovery. 

Thank you,

Scott Dorsey
Board Member
Your Impact
295 grants were distributed from January-March 2017 with $125,937 provided in services. Take a look at how you helped:



Our work is not possible without your support
Because of you, we can continue to give invaluable assistance to patients like our Red Carpet Gala honored guests, Ralph and Christine, who were both diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Ralph and Christine bravely shared their story in an emotional video shown to event guests. Please watch the video below to learn how the Ellie Fund positively impacted their lives and those of their four children.

Your donation today will help patients like Ralph and Christine ease the burdens of breast cancer treatment on their journey towards recovery and healing. Click the button below to make a difference right now. 

In This Issue
Find Out More
Want to learn more about what we do and how we help? Visit the Ellie Fund's website!
Upcoming Events
5 for Ellie 
Wednesday, June 7 at Fairmont Copley Plaza
5th Annual Real Golfers Wear Pink 
Monday, August 28 at Wollaston Golf Club
Join Our Team
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities for fundraising, special events and patient services. To sign up, please complete and return the Volunteer Application to Diane McManama, Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].
Shop to Support

Log into Amazon Smile. You shop. Amazon gives. Choose the Ellie Fund as your supporting nonprofit and shop as usual! 0.5% of your purchases will be donated to support our mission.
Click here to go to Amazon Smile.
Ellie Fund Team
Staff:

Gail Fine
Executive Director

Hillary Harrelson
Director of Development

Anne Meisner
Patient Services Coordinator

Kaitlyn Ferrini
Events & Public Relations Manager

Carole Burpee
Finance & Human Resources Coordinator

Natalie Kfoury
Administrative & Fundraising Assistant


Board of Directors:

Marcia Boyle
Board Chair

Jeff Popkin
Founding Director

Scott Clifford
Vice Chair

Ron Lanoue
Treasurer

Scott Dorsey

Tom Jacob

Laura Proctor

Heather Shanahan

Advisory Board:

Tabitha Adeli
Special Projects

Robins Jones
Communications Consultant

Dr. Elsie Levin
Medical Adviser

Luba Levin
Special Projects

Diane McManama
Volunteer Coordinator

Ben Rawitz
Strategic Partnerships
Save the Date: 5 for Ellie on Wednesday, June 7!five
Presented by The Slater Foundation, 5 for Ellie, our vibrant spring fashion show, will be held on Wednesday, June 7 at the beautiful Fairmont Copley Plaza! Join us for an exciting live auction, fine wines, delicious hors d'oeuvres, glamorous fashions, a special guest appearance and more!

"5 for Ellie will be a fabulous evening of fun, fashion and fundraising!" said Elllie Fund Executive Director Gail Fine. "The Ellie Fund is truly grateful to the wonderful staff at WCVB Channel 5 for their collaboration on our spring fashion show.  We cannot wait to see the amazing Channel 5 on-air talent model beautiful outfits from Alice and Olivia and are thrilled that Billy Costa of KISS 108 and NESN will be our guest auctioneer. "

Don't miss out on the party of the season! Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $175 until May 22 and $200 thereafter. Buy now!

Interested in becoming a 5 for Ellie Sponsor? Email Director of Development Hillary Harrelson at [email protected] for details.
Supporter Spotlight
Ellie Fund to Present Sam Slater with Hope Award at 5 for Ellie
The Ellie Fund is honored to recognize Sam Slater of The Slater Foundation with the 2017 Hope Award at 5 for Ellie. As the fashion show's Presenting Sponsor, Sam and The Slater Foundation continue their strong support of the Ellie Fund. The organization has been the Presenting Sponsor of our spring fashion show since 2015 and has partnered with the Ellie Fund as the Presenting Sponsor of Halloween for Hope since 2012.

"The Ellie Fund is deeply grateful to Sam Slater for his incredible support. We are honored to present him with the Hope Award at this year's inaugural 5 for Ellie on June 7 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza," said Executive Director Gail Fine. "Sam's enthusiastic and generous dedication to the Ellie Fund's mission has helped to raise over $100,000 to help provide critical support services for our patients. Our heartfelt appreciation to Sam and The Slater Foundation for their commitment to our patients."

Please join us in honoring Sam on June 7 at 5 for Ellie!
Running for Team Ellie
We were honored to have Sheila Corkhill, Conor Kane and Mike Shaw on Team Ellie for the 2017 Boston Marathon. Not only did they cross the finish line, completing 26.2 miles, they did so having raised $46,453 for breast cancer patients and their families. Learn more about Team Ellie below:

Sheila Corkhill

"My sister Fiona was diagnosed at age 48 with breast cancer and successfully completed chemotherapy and radiation."
Read more
Conor Kane

"On October 7, 2016, my mom, Kathleen M. Kane, lost her 18 month battle with inflammatory breast cancer, surrounded by all of her family and friends." 
"The folks at the Ellie Fund were crazy enough to allow me to run the marathon in an effort to raise some cheddar for an amazing cause." 

A Record Month
This month, the Ellie Fund received a record number of requests for our meal delivery program. With the help of Dream Dinners Framingham and dedicated Wellesley Service League volunteers, we provided 15 patients and their 40 family members with 160 healthy, prepared meals.
Red Carpet Gala Recap
Our  21st Annual Red Carpet Gala was a resounding success and could not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, hosts, guests and volunteers. Presented by Gemini Industries, our celebration of film, food and fashion raised nearly $300,000 and included a viewing party for the 89th Academy Awards®, the return of Louie Bello and the Northern Lights Band, a performance by Rhett Price at the Sponsor Reception, chef stations hosted by BostonChefs.com, live and silent auctions and our Fund a Family campaign.

"We are thrilled that the 21st Annual Red Carpet Gala was another fabulous success!" said Executive Director Gail Fine. " My heartfelt gratitude goes to our Presenting Sponsor Victoria Bondoc and Gemini Industries, our Media Sponsor Bill Fine and WCVB Channel 5, our Mobile Bidding Sponsor Chris Buchanan and Walmart, Rose Award Recipient Rich Piltch and ARS Restoration Specialists and our Fund a Family Sponsor Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center who, together with all of our generous sponsors and donors, compassionately support our mission."    

Photos by Dina K. Photography
Supporter Events
ARS Casino Night
Congratulations to the team at ARS Restoration Specialists for the extraordinary success of their 11th Annual Casino Night! Hosted at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 25, this year's Casino Night had record-breaking attendance, with over 1,000 guests supporting the Ellie Fund and Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to ARS for their tireless efforts and steadfast commitment to our mission. We could not be more grateful to have them on Team Ellie!
Girls Night Out at Legacy Place
Special thanks to our friends at Legacy Place for  holding the second annual Girls Night Out to benefit the Ellie Fund! Hosted at Showcase Cinemas by Shayna Seymour of WCVB Channel 5 on Thursday, March 23, the event raised over $3,400! Guests enjoyed swag from Legacy Place shops, fun activities, glamorous gift bags and a fashion show to kick off the season. Thank you Legacy Place!
Ellie Fund | 781-449-0100 | www.elliefund.org
200 Reservoir Street
Suite 300
Needham, MA 02494