Ellie Fund FAQ
What is the Care for the Caregiver program?
A free program designed to enhance the quality of life of women and families undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts. The program provides funding and resources for transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, grocieries and nutritious prepared meals free of charge for women and families who are undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts.
How does the Care for the Caregiver program work?
All patients must be referred through a Care for the Caregiver application, completed by a licensed oncology professional. The Ellie Fund creates a personalized “Care Contract” with the assistance of the referring professional based on the patient’s needs and the availability of funding at the time of the request. A Care Contract lasts approximately three months and the services are provided free of charge for the patient and/or their family while they are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Services are available based on need. Some are coordinated with The Ellie Fund’s care providers and others are reimbursements for services that the patient and/or family are already coordinating themselves. These include transportation to medical appointments using taxi vouchers, grocery store gift cards, our “Dish & Deliver” prepared meals program, light housekeeping, daycare/babysitting or petsitting reimbursement. All services are provided by licensed professionals.
To inquire if your medical professional already has a Care for the Caregiver application on file, or to request an application for your medical professional, call The Ellie Fund at 781.449.0100 and speak with Patient Service Coordinator Deb Lowe or Gail Fine or email deb@elliefund.org or gail@elliefund.org.
How does The Ellie Fund use donations?
All donations raised by The Ellie Fund directly benefit patient and educational programs. Overhead is low thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, medical professionals, corporate partners and individual donors who support the organization, including making financial contributions, providing licensed services, and donating their time and talent as volunteers.
How does the Ellie Fund find patients?
The Ellie Fund provides services for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, BethIsrael MedicalCenter, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Mt. Auburn Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Cambridge Breast Center, the South Shore Medical Center, the North Shore Medical Center, Hallmark Health Hospice, MetroWest Medical Center, The Lahey Clinic, and Dimock Community Health Center. Any licensed care facility or professional in Massachusetts can make a referral to The Ellie Fund.
How long does it take to receive help from The Ellie Fund?
Applications are reviewed by the first working day of every month and referring medical professionals are contacted during the first week of the month. Then funding decisions are shared with the patients and families.
How is funding determined?
Each patient has a personalized "Care Contract" based on their needs, how much money the Ellie Fund has at the time of the request, and how many other patients have requested funding at that time.
How many patients does The Ellie Fund help each year?
The Ellie Fund will support more than 500 women and family members this year through the Care for the Caregiver program.
How does The Ellie Fund raise money?
Through individual and corporate donations, and special events that we host and participate in through generous company involvement. We do not receive any state or federal funding.
How do I contact The Ellie Fund?
Patient Service Coordinators
Deb Lowe: deb@elliefund.org
Gail Fine: gail@elliefund.org
Executive Director
Julie Nations: julie@elliefund.org
Phone: 781.449.0100
Mail: 475 Hillside Avenue, Needham, MA 02494