Chris Elliott Fund » patient advocacy http://chriselliottfund.org/blog For Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:33:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Have You Ever Wondered…. http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/2010/05/have-you-ever-wondered/ http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/2010/05/have-you-ever-wondered/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 03:59:19 +0000 Dellann Elliott http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/?p=119 Have you ever wondered how research, diseases, CURES come about in our world?  Take Glioblastoma Brain Cancer for example–how come people wonder why Glioblastoma is under funded that there is not enough awareness… and how many of you would know what to do today if you or a loved one were diagnosed with GBM…but when others wonder why the disease is moving forward at a slower pace, let’s say to breast cancer, and you ask them how much they have given in regards to money for research for brain cancer, and they suddenly have nothing to say.  It’s interesting, the Chris Elliott Fund is run by volunteers.  Just think what we could do with funding.  So at this rate, we are working 12-16 hour days, and relying on volunteers to get the simple things done like sending out a letter, mailing awareness bracelets to patient outreach volunteers, printing out materials to build awareness, and at the same time setting up meetings with key decisions makers so they understand what advanced brain tumor treatment is, and answering the 15-20 inquiries that come in everyday asking for help and assistance.  Each request takes numerous hours to fulfill and facilitate.  If we had funding, we could do so much more.  Many people ask me again and again, how can we do more?  You can all do more by donating a small amount, 10.00 dollars or 20.00 to brain cancer.  It doesn’t have to go to the Chris Elliott Fund.  It could go to a place where you feel it should go, and that’s all good.  The point is, please take action and don’t expect this disease to progress in regards to research and awareness if research and awareness does not receive the funds in order to beat this disease.  You know that the Chris Elliott Fund leads the country in regards to building awareness for this disease.

We have to have funds in order to give to research.  We have to have funds in order to pay professionals and not always rely on volunteers who already have a fulltime job.  We have to have funds to make a difference, and I am quite passionate about this issue.

People ask me all the time, why isn’t there more being done.  I have to say, I am doing all I can with myself and with my volunteers, and the next question is have you given lately?  It all starts with each and every one of us to end this disease. 

If you feel like helping and partnering with the Chris Elliott Fund, because you have decided after clever and thorough investigation that this is the charity you have chosen, the charity or fund that can make a difference with this disease, then here are a few links for you to take action:

http://www.chriselliottfund.org/getinvolved/donate.html

Commercial PSA link with Jean Smart below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bToqSpBT7Bk

]]> http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/2010/05/have-you-ever-wondered/feed/ 0 There’s Only A Handful http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/2010/05/theres-only-a-handful/ http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/2010/05/theres-only-a-handful/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 01:16:23 +0000 Dellann Elliott http://chriselliottfund.org/blog/?p=115 It’s almost been ten years since I heard the word Glioblastoma, and in those ten years, I have had the pleasure of meeting only a handful of the most compassionate and endearing brain tumor specialists ( I am sure there are more and I look forward to meeting them) but for now there have been only a handful that I have had the opportunity to embrace.  They spend their days working with brain tumor patients, their families, their caregivers, and working within the walls of their highly constricted political systems, and somehow break through to really make a major difference with this disease as they truly become part of the cure.  They are truly my heroes.  Each time I meet one of these unique and compassionate individuals, I am reminded about human kind and what it’s supposed to be like for everyone, as I am rejuvenated, recharged, revitalized, and instilled with hope.  I want everyone to be treated by one of these amazing, caring specialists, as they provide a real life extension to the patient’s outcome and diagnosis, through knowledge and humankindness.  They can actually extend lives, save lives, and make a difference from living 6 months to….?  They extend the quality time and life of each individual that they treat.  I am so grateful for these people in my life.

I was reminded  last Friday once again, what it means to be around a handful of unique individuals who understand the difficulties of each situation and strive to do whatever it takes, whatever is best for the patient–this is where they focus their efforts, whether politically correct or not, they advocate and service the life of the patient and somehow connect to what is right and what is honorable when it comes to the patient and their care. 

I am lucky to have one of my inspirations right here in Seattle, and I felt the need this evening to reach out and say, thank you Dr. Gregory Foltz for all that you do.  You inspire me to end this disease with you, and believe me, we will.

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