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.

Next 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 and Jeffrey is 3.

 
  And here we are now, 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)

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!

Next up…highlights from two fabulous summer events!   

Welcome to our BLOG

Say Hello to Anne
Anne 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.

Next: The Big Move…

All the best,
Julie

The Pink Heals Tour 2011
“Cares Enough to Wear Pink”

Driving for Cancer. Driving Awareness. Driving across America.

September 14, 2011 * Granite Links Golf Club, Quincy * 6:30 -8:00 PM

Join the talented children from the Rising Stars and Center Stage performing arts troupes and the Fire & Police Departments of Braintree, Quincy and Milton in welcoming the arrival of the Pink Heals Tour 2011 to Boston!  

 Families will enjoy:
* Opportunity to meet the firefighters and explore the trucks
* Write a message on the truck in honor of a loved one or friend
* Special performance by Rising Stars and Center Stage
* Complimentary Make-Your-Own Sundae Bar hosted by Pinkberry
* Making artwork to be delivered to local families fighting breast cancer

Admission to the event is a suggested $10 donation per family to the Ellie Fund collected at the door.

Special thanks to our sponsors and hosts:

RISING STARS BROADWAY CAMPS  &  CENTER STAGE PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO

About the Pink Heals Tour
The Pink Heals Tour has visited more than 1,000 cities in America in just 22 months of operation, and the pink trucks are decorated with over 40,000 signatures from women who have survived cancer. The founder of the program, Dave Graybill, was a professional baseball player and pitched on the first ever Olympic team. Today he is a firefighter in Arizona and is very proud of what the Pink Heals Tour accomplishes each stop on the tour, “There are people across the street from us who are sick and suffering from cancer,” says Graybill “But people send their money to huge organizations forgetting the individuals in our own community. The Pink Heals Tour is a way for us to help local organizations fight cancer in their own community, raising the money locally and keeping it local.” For more information, click here.

About Rising Stars
The philosophy of the “Rising Stars” Broadway Camp is to provide each child with the opportunity to explore performance art and theater in an educational, fun, safe, and structured learning environment. “Rising Stars” always hires Broadway professionals to teach at the February, April & July camps. Each faculty member has at least one Broadway or national tour credit. The opportunity to be taught by these professionals in your own community is extremely rare. “Rising Stars” has a challenging, exciting curriculum and each day the kids come ready to learn from the “pros.” For more information, click here. 

About Center Stage
Center Stage is a comprehensive performing arts studio serving the South Shore.  Located in Quincy, Center Stage offers its students beginner, intermediate and advanced dance lessons including: ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and modern dance.  Center Stage also trains students in voice and musical instruments.  Rising Stars is also housed at Center Stage which makes drama lessons available to students as well.  As a full-service performing arts center, in operation for over 25 years, Center Stage is proud to play a key role in advancing the arts for young people in Quincy and throughout the South Shore. For more information, click here.

Join us for the Celebration of

Fashion’s Night Out

Thursday, September 8th, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

For the first time in 15 years, Newbury Street will be closed to traffic and will host fabulous shopping and events throughout the evening. Join us at Dependable Cleaners on 110 Newbury Street for a special Pop-Up Boutique featuring  Melene Kent Jewels. Enjoy complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres and enter to win great prizes including $100 in Free Dry Cleaning courtesy of Dependable Cleaners.

15% of all gift card sales and jewelry sales will benefit the Ellie Fund.

Click here  for a full list of participants and events.

•  Round Trip Airfare on Southwest Airlines, Co.
• Round Trip Private Car Transportation provided by Weldon Executive Coach
• Bric’s Luggage Piece from The London Harness Company
• Style Destination Valet Services from Style by Dependable
• Overnight Stay at the Hilton San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
• Dining Certificates to San Francisco’s best restaurants including: Daily Grill, Fior D’Italia & Alioto’s
• Two Night Stay at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, CA
• Reserve Wine & Food Pairing at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center

• VIP Red Sox Experience •

• Two Field Box-Third Base Tickets, Red Sox vs. Brewers: Sunday, June 19 at 1:35pm
  (Field Box 54, Row D, Seats 3&4. Click here to see the view from these seats)
• Admission to Watch Batting Practice from the Warning Track
•  Tour of Fenway Park & Complimentary Score Board Message
• $100 Gift Certificate to Island Creek Oyster Bar
• Round Trip Private Car Transportation provided by Weldon Executive Coach

• Deluxe Spa Day for Two •
 

• Your deluxe day of pampering for two at Charles David Salon & Spa includes: Sparitual Manicure, Sparitual Pedicure, Classic Facial, One-Hour Massage and Jane Iredale Make Up Application
• Round Trip Private Car Transportation provided by Weldon Executive Coach

• Ultimate Bermuda Getaway for Two•

• Round Trip Airfare on JetBlue from Boston to Bermuda
• Round Trip Private Car Transportation provided by Weldon Executive Coach
• Three Night Stay in a Gold Suite at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Bermuda
• Round of Golf for Two including Carts at Port Royal Golf Course
• $100 Dining Certificate to The Harbourfront Restauarant

• First-Class Celtics •

• Two Loge Tickets to a 2011-2012 season game provided by Weldon Executive Coach
• Round Trip Private Car Transportation Provided by Weldon Executive Coach
• Dinner for Two at Meritage, The Restaurant

• Deluxe Patriots Tailgating •

• Four Pre-Season Tickets or Two Season Tickets to a Patriots Home Game (TBD)
• Memorabilia Autographed by Tom Brady & Wes Welker
• Tabletop Gas Grill & 10-Piece Grill Set
• Gift Certificates to John Dewar & Company, Ace Wellesley Hardware for the rest of your grilling needs!
• Two Cases of Beer from Harpoon Brewery

• Red Carpet Ready: Oscar Night Boston Gala 2012 •

• Two Tickets to Oscar Night Boston Gala, February 26, 2012 at the five diamond Mandarin Oriental, Boston
• Overnight Stay at Mandarin Oriental, Boston
• Round Trip Private Car Transportation provided by Weldon Executive Coach
• Custom Fitted Men’s Tuxedo from Mr. Sid
• Custom Black-Tie Gown by Denise Hajjar ($500 Gift Certificate)
• Make Up  & Hair Styling by Charles David Salon & Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston on February 26

Dependable Cleaners will match donations made at the event, up to $5,000!  Everyone who donates $50 or more will be entered to win one of many great prizes including:

• Exclusive Domed Mesh Cuff from Whiting & Davis
• Special Edition Brewing System with 4 K-Cup Boxes from Keurig
• The “ellie” jean in your choice of size & style and Ellie Fund Pashmina
• Hand Crafted Crochet Bracelet by Mary Winters
• Accessories Package by Ports & Company
• His & Her Fragrance Sets from La Perla
• Gift Basket by Beauty & Main
• Dining Certificate to The Cottage Wellesley
• Dining Certificate to Alma Nove
• Mother & Daughter Clogs from Cape Clogs

Generously donated by

2 Loge Box Tickets to Red Sox vs. Orioles, May 16th at 7:10PM (a $188 value)

Generously donated by a friend of the Ellie Fund

$200 Gift Certificate to Groupon.com

After Work Party for up to 25 People (includes appetizers & use of the batting cages)

Private Party for 20 at The Lansdowne Pub (incudes appetizers & 20 beer tickets)

$50 Gift Certificate to JA Stats Restaurant & Bar

Weekend Brunch Cruise for 4 (a $160 value)

100 Deal Bucks to LivingSocial.com

$100 Dining Certificate

the Ellie Fund’s Spring Cocktail Party

May 14th, 2011 at 8:00 PM

JA Stats Restaurant & Bar, Boston

* Complimentary Beer, Wine & Vodka Drinks 8-9:30PM * Complimentary Appetizers

* DJ and Live Music by Harrelson Sills Live * Raffle (click here to view items)

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

Click here to purchase.

Beer Generously Provided By:

Special Thanks to our Event Sponors: