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The Value of the Ellie Fund
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A note from Heather Shanahan, Ellie Fund Board Member
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I first heard about the Ellie Fund when a good friend was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer. She had a demanding, full-time career and a family with two young children. Even with her strong network of support, I couldn't imagine how she would manage the daily responsibilities of being a mom while undergoing harrowing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, as I was not a wife or mom at that time, I could not truly appreciate the complexity of her situation. It wasn't until my father was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer that I began to understand and appreciate the value of the Ellie Fund.
People have different reactions to the word "cancer." However, I'm not sure many understand the day-to-day implications of such a diagnosis. While there is the physical and emotional toll on the patient and his/her family, there are also financial and logistical challenges that can cause added stress. The Ellie Fund helps alleviate these stresses by providing critical support services such as nutritional and grocery assistance, transportation to/ from treatments, light housekeeping, childcare reimbursement and delivery of nutritious, prepared meals.
Why do I choose to support the Ellie Fund? It's simple - the Ellie Fund is a unique organization that has a profound, immediate and daily impact on those it serves. It alleviates everyday pressures so patients and families can focus on getting better.
In 2018, I invite you to deepen your connection to the Ellie Fund. Whether it's by getting involved as a
volunteer, buying a ticket to the
Red Carpet Gala, placing a bid on
Tom Brady's game-worn cleats or making a year-end gift to the
Annual Fund, each will help the Ellie Fund continue to provide essential support services to local breast cancer patients and families.
On behalf of all of us at the Ellie Fund and the patients we serve, my heartfelt thanks for your support. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Thank you,
Heather Shanahan
Board Member
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We are honored to have distributed
919 critical support service grants to
778 breast cancer patients and families in 2017. Nearly
$550,000 was provided in services, a
16% increase compared to 2016! Take a look at the impact of your support this year:
 Our work is not possible without your support.
Because of your generosity, Maria and her son Jeremiah received grocery store gift cards and prepared meals for 3 months. In her words:
"It was a life-saver for a single mother who lives paycheck to paycheck. I felt immensely hopeful and grateful. I no longer had anxiety about buying groceries.
Thank you for making my life easier."
During this season of giving, we ask that you make a year-end gift to the Ellie Fund's
Do Good Annual Fund.
A donation today will help ease the burden of breast cancer treatment for patients like Maria and their families. With your help, we can strengthen our mission and make 2018 even more impactful!
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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 volunteer@elliefund.org.
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Log into Amazon Smile. You shop. Amazon gives. Choose the Ellie Fund as your supporting nonprofit and shop as usual! Amazon will donate 0.5% of qualifying purchases.
W
e've partnered with Giving Assistant, so now your purchases at 3,000+ popular online retailers have the power to support our mission. Get exclusive deals and donate your cash back to the Ellie Fund.
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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
Robin Jones
Communications Consultant
Dr. Elsie Levin
Medical Advisor
Luba Levin
Special Projects
Diane McManama
Volunteer Coordinator
Ben Rawitz
Strategic Partnerships
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Thank You ARS Restoration Specialists!
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Words cannot fully express our heartfelt gratitude to
ARS Restoration Specialists for their incredibly generous $300,000 donation to the Ellie Fund, generated through fundraising efforts in 2017.
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Supporter Spotlight: Walmart
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 We are deeply honored to have
Walmart on Team Ellie! Walmart is a dedicated
supporter of the Ellie Fund throughout the year, as the Presenting Sponsor of the Real Golfers Wear Pink Charity Golf Tournament and the Mobile Bidding Sponsor at our upcoming 22nd Annual Red Carpet Gala.
"Walmart is proud to support local organizations like the Ellie Fund that provide much needed services to our communities," said Chris Buchanan, Walmart's Director of Public Affairs & State and Local Government Relations. "It has been an honor to partner with the Ellie Fund to further their mission to provide critical services to breast cancer patients and their families."
To thank Walmart for their generous commitment to our mission, the Ellie Fund will honor Chris Buchanan with the Rose Award at the
22nd Annual Red Carpet Gala, presented in memory of Eleanor (Ellie) Rose Popkin.
"We are thrilled to present Chris Buchanan with the Rose Award at our 2018 Red Carpet Gala, recognizing his tireless commitment to the Ellie Fund and the breast cancer patients we serve," said Executive Director Gail Fine.
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Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Program
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 Beginning January 2018, the Ellie Fund is proud to announce the launching of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Program in addition to our Healing Together Patient and Family Care Program. Of the patients we serve, 26% have received a metastatic diagnosis. Metastatic breast cancer is a chronic and progressive disease, with patients enduring lifelong treatments in an effort to control it.
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Program will provide the critical support services we currently provide, as well as oncology massage and acupuncture, for 6 months to patients with metastatic breast cancer. These complementary care therapies are
scientifically proven
to
help reduce the emotional and physical side effects of ongoing treatment.
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My Cause My Cleats with Tom Brady
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Our favorite quarterback debuted his custom-made cleats in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills as part of the
NFL's My Cause My Cleats Campaign. Tom Brady's game-worn cleats are currently being auctioned off and have been personally autographed for the highest bidder. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ellie Fund and Best Buddies.
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Do Good 2017
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During the month of October, 37 companies pledged to Do Good and raised nearly $50,000 in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! We were thrilled to have the support of restaurants, retail stores, gyms and other businesses. 6th Annual Do Good Partners included Fugal Fannie's, Mario's Quality Roofing, Sisters in Song, PLA! Boston and April Soderstrom.
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Fall Highlights
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Vocal A.C.T.I.O.N.- Thank you to
Vocal A.C.T.I.O.N., a nonprofit organization that provides consulting and philanthropic services to stakeholders invested in the lives of minority youth, for raising $750. Their generous donation will benefit Black, Hispanic and Native American breast cancer patients and families who receive support from the Ellie Fund!
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April Soderstrom Holiday Parties- The Improper Bostonian's 2017 Jewelry Designer Winner April Soderstrom raised over $4,300 to benefit Ellie Fund patients and families through sales during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and private holiday shopping parties. We are so grateful for your support, April!
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Casino Night at Mr. Sid- Special thanks to Barry and Stuart Segel for hosting a fabulous Casino Night at Mr. Sid in Newton Center, helping to raise $12,000 to support our mission!
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Quincy Police Department- We are very grateful to the Quincy Police Department, who raised $1,800 for the Ellie Fund by selling custom hats and patches from the Pink Patch Program.
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Halloween for Hope Bake-Off at iProspect- Many thanks to the amazing team at iProspect Boston who raised $1,600 at their 6th Annual Halloween for Hope Bake-Off.
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Jeans Day at Harvard Vanguard Kenmore- A BIG thank you to the dedicated staff at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Kenmore, an affiliate of Atrius Health, for raising over $2,000 in October at their Annual Jeans Day fundraiser!
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Students for Hope- Our Students for Hope Program raised over $24,000 this fall, engaging in partnerships with 15 area schools, clubs and teams. It has been an honor to work with so many fantastic groups! For information on joining Students for Hope, contact our Administrative & Fundraising Assistant Natalie Kfoury at natalie@elliefund.org. |
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Gearing Up for the 2018 Boston Marathon
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Ellie Fund | 781-449-0100 |
www.elliefund.org
200 Reservoir Street
Suite 300
Needham, MA 02494
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