Elixir Fund Registry- A Patient / Caregivers Wish List

Just about four years ago at a Mercer County Cancer Coalition (now called the Hunterdon/Mercer Chronic Disease Coalitio) meeting I meeting  Meg McQuarrie from the Elixir Fund.

The Elixir Fund "provides comfort and support to cancer patients and their caregivers. "Their goal is to reduce the stress of treatment and provide support to patients and their caregivers so they can take a break from cancer. They get their inspiration from the cancer journey of Meg's brother, Kevin.

Yesterday, Meg and I met to discuss the latest project of the Fund- the Elixir Fund Registry. This project, similar to a bridal registry, is a way for family and friends to provide support ( emotional and physical) to their loved ones who are in treatment as well as their caregivers. Patients and caregivers can make a wish list for things they would love to have or things they would like to do to make their treatment time easier. The items on the list are varied from a  massage, to meals delivered to a patients home, help with putting on makeup, transportation to appointments, yoga classes or it can be a custom wish. Many local businesses have agreed to help with providing the services. The registry will be online and initially will  involve cancer patients/ caregivers who reside in NJ.

The Elixir Fund Registry is ready to be tested and the Fund is looking for people who have experience as a cancer patient, caregiver or health care provider ( such as a nurse or social worker) to test out the site and provide feedback to the Fund so they can insure that the program meets the needs of cancer patients and caregivers. I am so happy to see a patients centered approach to designing the program. Program testing is supported by Eli Lilly.

Meg allowed me to do a test run of the Registry and it is easy to set up and use.

Please contact Meg by calling 800-494-9228 or e-mailing her at  meg@elixirfund.org

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Elixir Fund's 10th Anniversary Celebration

I've eaten at the Jersey Girl Cafe and the food is delicious. 

Help support a foundation that supports cancer survivors. 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Trenton Thunder - July 4th Fundraiser

If you want a fun way to spend July 4th and also support some great organizations then check out this event at the Trenton Thunder. Who wouldn't love fireworks on the 4th!

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Survivor's Day at CINJ

For the past few months I have had the privilege to have been a member of the  Survivor's Day committee at The Cancer Institute of NJ(CINJ) .  The theme for this year's event was iSurvive...  iThrive.

Yesterday as patients came through the revolving door at CINJ they were greeted by the nurses, doctors researchers and staff . There were many hugs and hand shakes and "it is great to see you" .
The day began with some participants taking part in a tour of two research laboratories .
Then the break-out session started in rooms throughout the center. Here are some of the topics the patients could choose from:
 iTailor Treatments- the science behind personalized medicine
iIntegrate- complementary medicine
iParticipate- the importance of clinical trials
iGraze- healthy eating
iBreathe- letting go of stress
iMove- activity during and after treatment

I attended the iIntegrate and iMove sessions. Meg McQuarrie from the Elixir Fund spoke about meditation, acupuncture and yoga and other forms of complimentary medicine but the best part being able to learn some Jin Shin Jyutsu moves. I know I can easily put what I learned to practice.

The iMove session with Lexi Anderson from the LiveSTRONG at the YMCA and  Dr Coups a behavioral therapist from CINJ explained how patients should not be sedentary during and after treatment but that we should try to be active every day. The goal is to reach 150 minutes per week of moderate activity. They explained that activity does not have to necessarily be a sport , like tennis or basketball but could include walking, gardening, riding a bike, swimming and even cleaning the house. They also said the150 minutes does not have to be in 30 or 40 minute chunks of time but 10 minutes here and there throughout the day are helpful too.

After the sessions we all went over to the atrium of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for an interactive lunch. After a brief exercise session by LiveSTRONG at the YMCA,  Panera bread demonstrated how to make a healthy salad. Thanks Panera for the delicious food.

I saw many fellow ovarian and breast cancer survivors and their caregivers a well as many of the nurses and receptionists I know from the clinic. But I think Dr Susan Goodin , Associate Director of Clinical Trials said it best a lunch Survivors Day for  her is like a "family reunion."Indeed, it was.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Valentines Dinner and Elixir Fund Support

Why not take a loved one to dinner and lend your support to the Elixir Fund and their programs for cancer survivors and caregivers.

Valentines Dinner and Wine Paring

Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (ET)

Hamilton, United States

Please join us for a very special 5 Course Dinner and Wine pairing at the

Jersey Girl Cafe

John Kafarski, of the Wine Culture Project, will be providing wines specially paired with our dinner menu. John will provide details about the evening's wine pairings, their background, and why they were selected.

Our St. Valentine's Menu:

• First Course: Pan Roasted Baby Lamb Chops - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme
• Salad Course: Baby Arugula - Hearts of Palm, Blood Orange, Goat Cheese Custard, Honey Drizzle
• Third Course: Papardelle Pasta - Roasted Beets, Wilted Radicchio, Riccotta Salata, Toasted Almonds
• Chef's Amuse: TBD
• Entree: Seared Swai fish - Shaved Asparagus and Fennel
• Dessert: 3 Tastes of Chocolate Decadence

Proceeds from our dinner will be donated to the Elixir Fund to benefit cancer patients and their caregivers.

The cost is $100 per person.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

A Day of Pampering for Cancer Patients and Caregivers in New Jersey

Once again the Elixir Fund is providing special services for cancer survivors and their caregivers in NJ. On December 4th, at the Radiant Spa and Salon in Hamilton, the Fund is offering a mini-makeover from noon to 3 pm. Survivors or caregivers can have their choice of two services a mini-facial, manicure/pedicure or chair massage. Click on the image above for more details.

Services are free but appointments are required.Call 800-494-9228 or e-mail contact.elixirfund.org. Please share this information with any survivors in NJ that you think might love some extra pampering!

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Complimentary Therapies for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

The Elixir Fund is supporting a Bridges to Wellness program on December 10,2011. Spend a day learning how to reduce stress , relieve pain and improve sleep through the use of yoga, laughter and Jyutsu. Click on the photo above to enlarge and for more information or visit http://www.elixirfund.org/.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing

Comfort Registry Survey for Patients and Caregivers

"The Elixir Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the comfort and care of cancer patients and their caregivers."

The Fund is in the process of developing a "Comfort Registry " for cancer survivors and caregivers. The registry would provide survivors and caregivers a place to create a wish list of amenities or services that would make their cancer journey easier. Suggested items include - spa treatment, massages, yoga classes, complimentary therapies etc.

The Elixir fund would like to hear your feedback about these ideas. Any cancer survivor ( you do not have to be ovarian cancer survivors) or caregiver, in treatment or finished with treatment can fill out the survey. Click here to go to the survey webpage.

If you are a business / organization that may be able to provide services or amenities for the program please see the Elixir Fund's website for contact information.

By the way, I've already filled out the survey.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing ! Organizations like the Elixir Fund are blessings in the lives of cancer survivors.

Bridge to Wellness- A Program for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

I've written about the Elixir Fund in the past. The Fund provides comfort and care to cancer patients and their caregivers in NJ and LA.

The Fund is sponsoring a new program called Bridge to Wellness at Four Winds Yoga in Pennington, NJ. The six week seminar series introduces patients and caregivers to complimentary therapies to help reduce stress and manage side-effects. So if you always wanted to learn about Meditation, Massage, Jin Shin Juytsu, Yoga, Acupuncture or Tai Chi this series is for you! The series begins on February 21st and all sessions run from 7-8:30pm. The cost of the series is $30. Registration is required. Please call 800-494-9228. Sure sounds like a great way to take a break from cancer.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

life*love*light*healing*

I have heard people call their chemo many different names (usually not nice ones) but never elixir. Well, that was until yesterday when I met Meg McQuarrie and heard about her brother Kevin. Kevin wanted a more positive name for the chemotherapy he needed so he asked his family , friends, doctors and nurses to call his chemo - ELIXIR. While he was in treatment he tried to bring things along that would make him feel comfortable - a DVD player, CDs, a blanket. His friends and family would offer him a massage and make him laugh.

Although Kevin passed away in 2003 his family and friends wanted to continue to provide items of comfort and support to other cancer patients. They formed a non-profit named ELIXIR FUND. Meg is the executive director. The Fund provides hospitals, doctors, nurses and cancer treatment centers with amenities and extras that they may not be able to provide for their patients. They have decorated waiting rooms, installed TVs and offered massage and makeovers to patients. I was pleased to know that the DVD players at CINJ, were I was treated, were provided by the Elixir Fund.

The Fund looks to provide national and local support for cancer patients and caregivers as well. They have partnered with a number of services for cancer patients in NJ such as meals, yoga, mediation & facials. They will also work with patients and caregivers to find a needed service or support. Click here to see what is available in NJ. If you have friends in California, the Fund has partners that provide similar services there too. Be sure to watch the video on their website to learn more about this wonderful organization.

The Elixir Fund is Life, Love, Light and Healing! Thank you Meg for making a cancer patient's journey a bit more comfortable.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!