Elixir Fund

Meg McQuarrie, the Executive Director of the Elixir Fund is a wealth of information and resources. She always goes above and beyond when helping people find the services needed.

I recently spoke to the wife of a good friend of mine who was helped ] during his cancer journey by the Elixir Fund. She is so grateful, I was moved to tears listening to her story about Roy and how Elixir helped him spiritually. Compassion goes a long way to ease the discomfort of hospital visits with something as simple as a warm blanket.

Simply put . . . . I know the people who founded this wonderful organization and based merely on their integrity, character, and ability to always run the right intention, it is clearly a place anyone would be honored to be a part of. Their mission is clear and their execution is flawless. They believe in what they do and it truly shows.

The Elixir Fund is simply an incredible resource for cancer patients and their caregivers. While I have not benefitted personally from their services, as a cancer caregiver I was personally moved by their mission and spirit. I was afforded a very special opportunity to meet their director Meg McQuarrie and she is a wonderful person dedicated to helping people in what is for some the most frightening, stressful period of their life. The resources the Elixir Fund is able to provide are a great benefit to these patients and families.

Need help with identifying sources for patients who undergoing treatment. Elixir Fund was able to help with information in a timely manner. Elixir Fund also follow-uped to see how patient was doing.

When our family faced the shock of hearing that one of our members was facing Lung Cancer, we were lost and confused, shocked and terrorified. We did not know where to turn for support, information or resources. We turned to the Elixir Fund and my family will be forever grateful. They were able to help us find the resources that we needed, the place to purchase a wig during chemo and assistance with finding places to help with meals. As the treatments progressed - they checked in to find out how we were doing, they were a kind voice in a dark moment for our family, they offered support, kindess and knowledge. As we have moved into maintenance and have learned that she is Stage 4 - we could not have navigated this journey without the support of Elixir Fund. Anyone going through Cancer, should have a friend in the corner, the gentle support of the kind people with the knowledge and resources that Elixir Fund represents - they made all the difference to my family and we will never forget having their support. Words can not express what a comfort they provided ti us during this experience.

Elixir fund has been extremely supportive to our oncology population at JSUMC/Meridian Health; the team of experts who volunteer their self care programs as well as the wonderful abundance of portable DVD players and movies/music - have given our patient population a much needed 'pick me up' for both the inpatient and outpatient dept as they are receiving treatment (or even recovering from treatment - inpatient);
the pleasant nature and supportive nature of this organization is a joy to work with; i am truly thankful that organization like this exist for the betterment of our oncology population

I have worked with the elixir fund in 2 states now. They are awesome and strive so hard to meet the needs of our cancer patients, it is always a pleasure to work with megan.

One word - "AWESOME". It is great to have an organization that is there to care for and help patients and their families. The personal servces offered (massage, makeup, manicure)while I was hospitalized took my mind off my chemo treatment. It relaxed me and made me feel better. When you are sick, have tubes in you, and in that hospital gown, you aren't in your best appearance nor mood and the simple servics Elixir provided did wonders. Since then, I have also volunteered as I believe this is a very worthwile organization.

The Elixir Fund is dedicated to helping cancer patients and their friends and family live life better while fighting cancer. Elixir focuses on the human experience of this terrible disease and provides experienced advice as well as personal services to help patients and their friends and family. The organization has grown to span both coasts and numerous volunteers and beneficiaries. There is a deep passion to understand and advance the human experience, germinated by Kevin McQuarrie, the patient whose brave fight with cancer inspired Elixir's formation. I would strongly recommend anyone involved with fighting cancer to interact with the Elixir Fund.

I am a volunteer with the Elixir Fund for almost 2 yrs and when I first met Meg I saw a angel with golden wings full of love, compassion,respect and hope. I knew I wanted to be a part of this program so I brought my skills as a CMT massage therapy to Elixir and now I volunteer in hosp. infusion and radiation centers.Pain ,discomfort and fear can and may be a major factor in cancer and Elixir can help lessen some of these effects. As a CMT, light touch massage , foot and hand massage has an immediate effect on mood , stress hormones thus reducing the perception of pain intensity,anxiety, even nausea and thus increasing relaxation . If I was asked to just say a few words about Elixir I think I would say " We Care. We will Help. I am here for you."

It is always moving when huge fundraisers for cancer research occur in my community. I donate, of course...who DOESN'T want to see a cure for cancer? I hope it comes, I really do...but in the meanwhile, Elixir is here. The Elixir Fund provides comfort and care NOW to patients and families who are affected by cancer. Elixir doesn't have a cure for the disease, but they have concern, comfort and community for those who can't wait for a cure. Kevin McQuarrie, in whose memory Elixir was founded, was my friend for over 30 years...from the time we were kindergartners, we were close. When I lost my mother to cancer in May of 2001, Kevin flew across the country to support me and my family, and to play his guitar and sing at the service. Those of us who loved Kevin noticed he seemed unwell. Just a month later, in June, my father and Kevin were simultaneously admitted to the hospital, both with advanced cancer diagnoses. Kevin was in California, my father was in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Although Kevin was the patient, he was full of reassurances and support, as I struggled with my inability to be in two places at once. We spoke frequently as I cared for my father, and he gave me good advice...gentle massage helped to take the mind off pain, he advised. A trained massage therapist, he knew a great deal. My father, a rather gruff man, loved Kevin as well, and despite his initial reluctance, he allowed me to give him this bit of comfort, because "Kevin said it will help". It was a privilege to care for my father while he was at home for his final days. I took much of Kevin's advice and put it into play during that time. My father passed away peacefully in August, just three months after my mother. The months that followed saw more losses for my family: two aunts and an uncle to cancer as well. Meanwhile Kevin was undergoing a wide variety of treatments for his cancer, many of which sapped him of his energy. Despite his own debilitating treatments, Kevin continued to advise and counsel others who were on similar journeys. Kevin's wisdom guided me once again the following year when a close friend of ours came to the end of her own journey with cancer. I brought his sage advice with me to Atlanta and did my best to comfort my friend, with gentle massage, and her family, by letting them sleep and restore their energy while I sat up for the overnight shift. Finally, in 2003, it was clear that Kevin could not remain with us for much longer. The days spent with him and his family talking, comforting and consoling were truly enlightening. As caregivers from all over the hospital, who had met Kevin over the years, came to see him, it became clear that he had made a profound impact on them. These were doctors and nurses and aides who had been moved by his positive outlook, who witnessed his support and care of other patients, as well as his emotional care of his own caregivers! Many were thanking HIM for the honor of having treated him. In that hospital room, during Kevin's final days, the germ of an idea, that of establishing a foundation in his honor to continue that legacy, took root. Within months after Kevin's passing, the Elixir Fund was established. I am proud to be a part of an organization which supports and empowers patients and caregivers. I will continue to donate to research for a cure, but TODAY, patients need support, and TODAY, ELixir is there to provide it.

My sister has been diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. She lives in Colorado and I live in California. I work in the cancer industry (Rational Therapeutics laboratory) and I was able to have my sister's tumor tested for sensitivity to different chemotherapies. One particular drug was found to be promising in the assay test but the drug itself is not covered by insurance (deemed "experimental" although it is FDA approved and is routinely used in other cancer diagnoses. I contacted Meg to see if she had any information regarding financial assistance for cancer patients as well as any services that my sister could utilize in her city in Colorado. Meg responded immediately with a wealth of extremely useful information for my sister. With Meg's assistance we are now pursuing leads for financial assistance from the pharmaceutical company and support groups in her area. The Elixir fund is a wonderful organization that helps cancer patients in countless ways. Everything from patient comfort during infusion sessions to free services like massage or house cleaning to difficult and complex issues like financial assistance. My sister and I are truly grateful for Meg's help and compassion... Thank you Meg!

Meg called me about two yeara ago to introduce herself and tell me about what the Elixir Fund does. She was still in California at the time and trying to make contacts in the New Jersey area. I was immediately impressed by her commitment to improving the life of cancer patients as they go through their treatments. The Elixir Fund help change an exam room into a consult room that is used by patients and their families to meet with physicians and social workers. I was also fortunate to meet Carol, Meg's mom who came by to drop off art work and other items for the room. The Elixir Fund has also provided DVD players, CD's, newspapers and magazines for our patients. Whenever we have asked for their help, they have been there. Thanks so much for all that you do.

Most cancer organizations garner money to continue to support the research of cancer but what about the people who have cancer now and what about their caregivers? That's where Elixir comes in. Spending your day with chemo being shot through your veins doesn't have to be a "sick" experience. Thanks to Elixir it can be a spa experience! Women who have had a makeover while having their treatment spend the day thinking about how great they look. And their caregivers who not only give "care" but give of themselves get a chance to partake as well. Unfortunately knowing from the experience of being a caregiver, my focus was on my mother, and not on myself. Letting myself look run down and ragged was not the best medicine for my mother. The Elixir mini-makeover days makes sure that everyone benefits. It's amazing to see a small outward transformation from the simple color of a lipstick turn inward to a brighter color of hope. People who are positive about what they see on the outside will inevitably keep their insides positive and that translates to a healthy outcome. Elixir is about comforting and caring for cancer patients AND their caregivers NOW, not after years of research.

I was recently diagnosed with cancer and immediately underwent surgery to remove the tumor. I contacted Megan McQuarrie and received prompt support from Elixir ranging from information about treatment the treatment that I was about to received to questions that I should ask the doctors to make the surgery easier to handle. The help and support that I received from Elixir was invaluable, and greatly relieved the stress of my diagnosis not only for me, but for my family as well. Elixir provided me with a measure of sanity and reassurance during a very stressful period in addition to providing me with some very real comfort as I underwent surgery and Chemotherapy. Elixir is a wonderful organization that fills the critical gap between the diagnosis and care given for Cancer. I happily endorse this group and give to them so that they can continue to provide the same level of support to patients and their families who have to endure the uncertainty of Cancer, treatment, recovery and even end of life issues. Thank you so much Megan McQuarrie and Elixir.

I was touched by the Elixir Fund when my sister Jaye was a recipient of a makeover in Long Beach Memorial Hospital.In fact the 'elixir' of the dedicated staff not only affected my sister so positively, but also family members and loved ones surrounding her. Fighting AML cancer made it tough for Jaye to keep up her spirits, physically and mentally, but the day Meg and her staff came to her room, she had a smile on her face that wouldn't quit!! Whenever we wear the elixir T shirts we are reminded of the special care this organization offers so many individuals.

I can not say enough positive things about Meg and everyone I have been lucky enough to volunteer with during Elixir Fund events. When I was younger I watched as cancer took my grandparents from us and since then through the years witnessed my parents and friends fight back and survive to become stronger individuals. I can understand what the families and caregivers go through and feel very fortunate to be able to bring positive thoughts, energy and care to them through the Elixir Fund during difficult times. I have watched so many people come through the make over days events and transform back into the smiling self confident beautiful individuals that lives in each of them. I feel truly lucky to be able to bring some relaxation and peace into what can be a challenging path in someone's life. The Elixir Fund is a blessing for all.

I have 2 friends in disparate circumstances undergoing cancer treatment: one is a young man living in NYC and the other is a senior woman living in rural North Carolina. I asked Elixir Fund to send them each a Care BAsket and made a donation to the Fund to help cover the expenses. The baskets were each fuilled with useful, carefully-chosen items that helped each of them get through treatments with more comfort, good cheer and entertainment. Elixir Fund truly gives care to the cancer patient's "soul" while the medicine is healing the body.

I am a medical librarian at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey's Resource and Learning Center (RLC). The RLC is a consumer library for cancer patients, their families, and the community. This is the story of how Meg McQuarrie came into the lives of our patients. One of our nurses met Meg McQuarrie on the train coming back from New York to New Brunswick, NJ. They began talking and Meg was given the contact information for my manager, Leah, who provides patient education at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Of course Leah told Meg all about the library and arranged for her to meet me and visit the RLC. I was very impressed by how professional and compassionate she was. She strives to provide comfort resources for patients and to provide media that can help pass the time for patients in treatment. Meg and the Elixir Fund donated portable DVD players, movies and tv specials on DVD and VHS, disposable earbuds, and helped to provide a cabinet to keep them in. She continues to support the RLC and our patients and we are grateful for the services her organization provides. Thank you Meg and the Elixir Fund!