I have to eat part of my nutrition as blended food. I finally a year ago bit the bullet and bought the gold standard of blenders the VitaMix. It isn't really a blender, and anyone that has one knows what I mean. To say the thing is amazing is an understatement. Of course there are those here that are on temporary or life long PEG tube feeding, and this is THE blender that will let you take conventional food and make it PEG tube compatible. (AND TO THINK I LIVED OFF OF ENSURE WITH MINIMUM NUTRITIONAL VALUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF) I mean it turns everything that I can put into it into liquid, and I have put some pretty strange things in it. I will elaborate on this if you are interested in future posts. My wife has become a huge blender food drinker as she is a health nut to the extreme and a serious over 50 athlete.

So I realized after participating in other support forums (life-long PEG forums in particular) how important this piece of equipment is to LIFE, and quality of life. I called the company and talked to them about OCF. There is an opportunity for OCF to become an affiliate seller of these machines, and if we could generate enough interest get some special pricing on units.

The question is - do enough of the people that come to OCF want to obtain one (PEG users for sure) but also those that are just having swallowing issues, and those of course that after cancer wish to optimize the quality of their nutrition. If there is, OCF will apply and fill out all the forms with VitaMix, who will treat us differently than their other distributors as a non-profit, and there may be an opportunity to get them at some discount, and also make a small commission to be used for OCF's mission accomplishments as well.

I think this is a great opportunity for OCF and for those we serve. Would those of you here please post your desire or lack of desire for us to engage in this as there are a few hoops to jump through, and I would like to believe that in the long run it is worth it to everyone concerned. I thank you all for taking the time to weigh in.

I think I would, depending on price and availability of funds.

My mother used one back in the 90's with her macrobiotic cooking classes. Even without blending to liquefy, it's a good kitchen appliance for soups and things like that.

I think this is a fabulous idea. Those of us here who need them usually purchase due to the consequences of oral cancer. I purchased one last year simply so that I could blend "proper" foods for Kris to drink. He has lived off Ensure/Fortisip for far too long and I wanted him to be able to consume, good , nutritional , natural foods .
Post his total Glossectomy he can only swallow thin liquids.
Sad to say that here in NZ it cost me $1200. Couple with our reduced income post Oral cancer , this was a major hit to the pocket.
Great initiative Brian.
Tammy

There have been several members who swear by the Vitamix. Ive seen many others mention the cost puts it out of their reach (myself included). That would be great to have something set up with them to help cut the cost and also help OCF at the same time.

Well, my short answer is no � because I just bought a VitaMix! And I love it!

I bought a �good� quality blender in 2006 when I was going through radiation. I used it every day for a number of months, but as my mouth started to heal I used it less and less. That is until a few years ago when I started having dental issues and eating become more time consuming and painful. So I started using the blender more often.

Well this blender wasn�t made for daily use and I broke the blades a few times, and the motor was starting to make some unusual noises. So when the blade broke again earlier this year I decided to buy a VitaMix. Over the years I read a lot of favorable comments about VitaMix so I knew that was the brand I wanted.

Based on the reviews I read on VitaMix, I expect it to last for years so I won�t be in the market for a new one, but I would be interested in some of the accessories. I see they also added a smaller one � the Personal / S30 model.

I think it is an idea worth pursuing. I will certainly tell folks to order one from OCF.

This sounds really like a great opportunity even for non-tubies. I love making juices in the blender I have (watermelon, cantaloup, etc.) but I don't use it every day and probably would if I had a VitaMix. I also blend/liquify other things like cucumbers and freeze them in ice cube trays for use later in soups. I suppose there would be different models available? And how would the commission to OCF compare with the percentage that goes to OCF from Amazon orders? I notice that Amazon also offers the VitaMix and their highest Amazon price is around $600 but there are several models with varying prices. VitaMix also has free shipping.

PS to my above message: How about a raffle item at one of the Awareness Walks? If only 24 people bought one $25 raffle ticket, that would be $600 and would pay for the VitaMix? Or set up something where we could donate $ to a fund to pay for a cancer survivor's VitaMix? I would certainly donate to that rather than to an ice bucket challenge. I cringe when I see somebody getting ice and water poured over their heads. In fact, if I saw someone I liked about to undergo the ice bucket torture, I would donate for them NOT to get the ice bucket torture!

You can buy a Vitamix at Costco and or QVC around $399. I didn't do so, but heard Vitamix has a discount program for cancer patients, and know of a few breast cancer patents when I was staying at Hope Lodge who received free VitaMix "someplace" but wasn't paying much attention since I already had one.

This is a great idea! A few months ago, I wrote that I would be buying a VitaMix. I haven't yet so I would be one of those who will definitely do so. My issue was how to decide which model was best for us plus I LOVE the idea of an agreement with OCF. The discount would be nice and a few bucks back to OCF would be awesome.

I am also interested in recipes that are tasty. I have been using my Oster blender but I must admit that blended foods take on a different flavor than non blended. So far, Clark has not been too receptive to my blended concoctions. And as a result, he relies on Ensure to get most of his daily nutrition. I am passionate about providing him with delicious blended real food that can awaken his taste buds.

As an additional suggestion, for the OCF community, why not put together a collection of tried and true recipes that accompany the VitaMix. I would be willing to compile this into a nicely designed document. Would VitaMix help us with printing it?

[quote=Anne-Marie]PS to my above message: How about a raffle item at one of the Awareness Walks? If only 24 people bought one $25 raffle ticket, that would be $600 and would pay for the VitaMix? Or set up something where we could donate $ to a fund to pay for a cancer survivor's VitaMix? I would certainly donate to that rather than to an ice bucket challenge. I cringe when I see somebody getting ice and water poured over their heads. In fact, if I saw someone I liked about to undergo the ice bucket torture, I would donate for them NOT to get the ice bucket torture! [/quote]

I was thinking it would be awesome to do some type of raffle for one at the walks and then have a way to award it to one of the survivors at the walk. It really is great to have survivors and some have to travel to the walks and it can cost more than the money they raise.

The Ice Bucket Challenge was started by professional athletes. Their bodies are in much better shape than any of us. After neck rads, especially with things like the autonomic nervous system and baroreceptors compromised, it could be instant death. My son challenged me and I'm getting some packing peanuts and going to do that. It saves me $90 and honors my many ALS friends, many of which have lost their lives as well as my step-sister.