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.

VitaMix has two "cookbooks" that you can get - different models come with a different book. At the end of the day there are thousands of blender recipes on the web, and sites that cater to just coming up with them. There is also a very active PEG tubie (life long users) forum on FB that has individuals in it that have recipes.

For those like me that want to drink it orally, while I try to consider taste since I don't want it to be an unpleasant experience, I have been known to make some pretty nasty tasting, but wildly nutritious things. So I drink for health and pleasure, and then other times I think of it as medicine that I have to take. Weird I know.

Their books are a good place to start, and for convenience there are good recipes out there that have benefits. But when you start to think out of the realm of a single meal replacement idea or a really refreshing and healthy fruit drink, and you delve into the world of complete nutrition, you have to become a bit of a student. Since I enjoy this aspect, I'm a bit more adventurous. I mean when you wonder about what is the nutritional value of a whole avocado PIT ( this thing will turn it into water) you start to blend some pretty weird stuff. (Caveat here, some seeds can be highly toxic and should ot be included in your blending and actually contain the precursor chemicals to making cyanid�) So I wanted to really learn about optimum nutrition and balance the components of it. There are lots of fad books about it that I would not recommend, but the Internet as usual has a mix of crazy shit and serious stuff. But if you take the time to learn you are investing in yourself. You are investing in your health nutritionally which when combined with a modest exercise program pay off big dividends. And in the end you are boosting your immune system. (Disclaimer: while some immune system strength is impacted by nutrition, you can't override your genetic makeup as a person.)

Like Ed Brown, I have some serious crap coming unglued in my body. I have more medical issues from my treatments than most, now 15 years out from treatment protocols that predated IMRT. I'm not bitching, they bought me 15 years. I am in hanging on mode, and every little thing that I can do to stick around a couple more years I am on it. This device is a tool in that armamentarium to accomplish some goals. It isn't going to fix things, it's just with a little extra knowledge, going to not allow other things to pile onto my existing issues. Bottom line, I wish that I had started this in my 20's and 30's long before cancers were part of my vocabulary.

Brian, if it helps, I was doing things like that long before cancer world. I juiced for years and my mother was teaching Japanese cooking for health for decades when I was younger. I got to this point even faster than you so that didn't seem to help.

Hang in there...one issue at a time.

So I love the idea of raffling one of these at the walks, and I also love the idea of seeing them be on some programs that people and OCF could chip into to get them in the hands of patients, who might find them out of their range. Note re the costs; there are lots of different models. I have the new 7500, and I love it, but there are a few lower priced models too. People would have a choice. But OCF MIGHT get a small break on these which would benefit the purchaser, and we do need to cover the processing of it all - we don't have a huge staff as you know and processing orders while it is the least expensive person at OCF doing that, still costs money - and If you bought it from us we would get some small percentage back from VitaMIx, more than Amazon gives us perhaps for being a dealer of theirs and as a non-profit charity. The also have certified refurbished ones that have long warranties on them for sale, that for those who were the most price conscious might fit the bill.

This is an American company and an American made product. I personally like the idea of American manufacturing staying alive, and the entire manufacturing world not be transferred overseas. (Sorry that's my red white and blue coming out and we don't talk politics on these boards.) They have the best reputation I have heard of anecdotally for standing behind their products, and seldom charge even shipping for any repairs, their fault or not.

Depending on cost I would be interested in a refurbished model.

Thank you VERY much Brian!!!!

Brian, this seems like a worthy course of action. I have a regular old common blender that I use maybe once a week and I can't see myself buying one of these. But if you do set up a program to get them to folks who can't afford them, count me in for a donation.

Speaking of watermelon and cantaloupe.... I had a friend who had a dog that loved those things. Of course, he was a melon collie.

Glad your collie can't elope.

Brian - Count me in too, for a donation to a fund that will get the VitaMix to those who can't afford them.

David 2 - your melon collie can't elope cuz he can't drive. That's why he's a melon collie. :-)

I wouldn't participate because I already have (and love) a Vitamix but I think it's a great idea. I would also be happy to donate to a fund to provide them to people who need them.

Fwiw - today I note that Groupon is selling the I think it's 6000 model, which they say lists for $600, for $300.

(Drum roll please) OCF is now officially a Vitamix affiliate. There is a badge on the forum home page, and we are going to add it to some other OCF web site pages on PEG feeding and nutrition in the next few days. So TODAY - OCF's program with them is the foundation gets 15% of every sale, and all of our referrals get free shipping, which regular buyers do not. You must use our link to get to their site for this to happen, OR you have to put in our affiliate number 06-010058 when you place your order on their web site store. It applies to any unit that you buy there, though I personally think the 7500 is the most bang for the buck.

This is up and running. So the next thing that OCF is going to do is buy some of their reconditioned SECOND GENERATION machines (bigger motor and other features) that come with a full warrantee at really good pricing, (most have been used for a day at a demonstration) and we are going to develop a donation program for oral cancer patients that also have financial issues and give some of these away to those in need. How we are going to qualify people is yet to be determined, as we need to know certain things, like that they are an oral cancer patient/survivor, and that they have financial hardships, but we also don't want to be too invasive in this qualification process. Obviously there are many conditions that lead people to need PEG or liquid feeding but we can't open this up to the world. We probably need input on what you all think is reasonable to have people produce to meet the criteria.

OCF will also invest in purchasing units to have at all of our big walk events as raffle items around the country in 2015.

I'm open to any other ideas you all have as ways to maximize the opportunity for patients, survivors, and the foundation.

Well done, Brian!

I will be posting the Vitamix OCF badge code on here tomorrow, I hope that anyone that has a blog will add it and our Amazon badge to help OCF, to their blogs or web sites. Some of you are on "peggy" web sites besides here and spreading the word around that they can do good with their purchase would be really great help.

Excellent job old warrior!!!Semper-Fi Bob

Yay, great news!!!! I have been waiting to purchase a VitaMix and I am so glad I did. Love this idea of having them at the Walks, and making them available to OC patients for whom the cost is prohibitive.

Great job, Brian!

This is an exciting partnership with Vitamix! Thank you for all your hard work Brian! The OCF forum members dont always know how much hard work you do behind the scenes to help OC patients, caregivers and with research. There arent many who would work as hard as you do (many 14 hour days) without ever taking a paycheck or expecting anyone to thank them. Thank you for your dedication to all things OC!

How to make it fair for both medically needy while addressing income is not easy. I have a suggestion about how to screen lower income patients. Many OC patients are no longer able to work and are on SS disability years before their retirement time. Maybe anyone who receives SS of any type or public assistance would automatically qualify. For those who are not on SS, how about a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines? I retired from old Ma Bell where there were programs to help lower income people pay their basic monthly phone bill if they were under certain monthly income levels. This should be something that could easily work in qualifying OC patients for their eligibility. To ensure this is available to help the most needy, I suggest the maximum income level of 200% (maybe even 253% so its not too stringent and would not give to medically needy) of the Federal Poverty Guideline for 2014. But at the same time, the lower the income the higher on the list the person would be placed.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2014

As far as making certain someone is an OC patient, that would be the easy part. We all go see so many doctors any one of those specialists can simply write a brief note saying something like "_____ has been under my care for oral cancer since ____". This way its not too personal but it would screen out non OC patients from attempting to take advantage of the program. Not all OC patients need to use something like the Vitamix on a regular basis, some are lucky enough to return to eating normally after their treatments. So maybe a note stating medical necessity of a blended, pureed diet would be enough to qualify someone?

Does anyone else have any input as to how best to address the income and diagnosis obstacles?

We bought a Vitamix during my treatment. They have a discount program in place for head and neck patients (DonFoo turned me onto this). I was able to purchase a refurbished model at about 50% (roughly $200) off fully guaranteed with a doctor's note. It's not just a blender, it's a "machine"... amazing!

Highly recommended!

Positive thoughts and prayers

I have been informed by Vitamix that that program for medical needs people has been discontinued. They are restructuring the program. If I thought someone who OCF desires to serve could get it that way I would have said so, and stayed out of the issue (which is still being negotiated since we wish to give some away). IF Vitamix is going to set us up as something other than an affiliate in the near future, (what I have been told now that we are registered with them) OCF will have a special needs program with prices off retail, as that is the market we desire to serve. This is also about making a little money selling a few machines for OCF, but it is a bigger idea. If I had to go out and compete head to head with the likes of Amazon, I would not have even looked into this. But that was never our desire. We need to replace their medical needs program, and we need to give some away at no charge to those who can prove both medical need and financial hardship.

So I just got off the phone with Vitamix. It is a HUGE company with lots of players, each who have a say in how a new idea gets set up, and OCF is definitely a new idea. They have a small program now in which they give a very limited number of units away for free. Qualifying for one of those refurbished units is hard, and it encompasses many other issues outside of oral cancer, all competing for the few machines that they have. That would be people that have strokes and other diseases that force people onto PEG tubes. The discounted units for people with a medical needs letter is definitely gone, and we (along with some other non profits) would be their replacement ideas for it.

We will have this idea up and running according to them before the Xmas season, and will begin our give away program some time in December. We will also have a retail program and a medical needs program. But they have to sign off on everything that we do, and that is going to take a little bit more time.

So there are no discounted units from Vitramix any longer for medical needs. If you were lucky enough to get in this program months ago, that was a great deal. But it is defiantly not part of their operation today.

The Vitamix program had two programs: the large discount option that is now discontinued; the other was and appears to remain intact is one that offered machines to very financially distressed patients. It required proof of Medicaid or SSI, along those lines and there was no certainty of receiving one; one applied, not ordered one.

For those who find the current Vitamix programs still too costly, check if Blentech still has a similar program as the discontinued one.

One other thought for OCF is has there been thought given to a loaner program as an alternative to giving units. Since most of us need liquified food for a limited time, maybe it would benefit more folks to borrow one for a few months and let OCF offer to others during their time of need.

We cannot do a loaner program and get into issues of how clean the units are after someone uses them, what they were used to blend such as medications, and many other issues, and that involves another layer of logistics at OCF that we cannot support. And I repeat that a there is a small program still alive for people with financial disparities and medical needs at Vitamix, but you are competing with many others for what is only a few units.

We looked at all the units out there, Vitamix was the only one that had the ability to satisfy completely the issues with PEG feeding. If you would like to strain your blend before you put it in a PEG, by all means choose another company. This decision was made after consulting with several groups of Peggies, that are life-long users and listening to their input. But if you want pick out small seeds and spend time unclogging your tube according to them, by all means go somewhere else�. of course if you would like some of your purchase to support the non-profit that works for you, please give us a chance.

Brian,

Too bad about the loaner program but totally understand the added layers due to objects used with food consumption. How about having a place on OCF that supports those that may no longer need or use one to offer them to other members.

OCF would not be involved in the transaction. Maybe something as simple as a sticky thread up top to let folks post their used Vitamix or other blenders. Maybe even other OC related things like suction machines for those whose insurance does not cover.

From time to time we see offers of excess liquid food show up here. Those kind of offers would be a perfect example of what could get posted there.

I fully support everyone who is purchasing a new Vitamix and has the means to do so to click on the banner on the right, absolutely!

Vitamix is clearly best in class. However, there are many who can not afford best in class and just might have to perform an extra step to strain their blended food.

I hope you know my intent is clearly not to divert or dissuade a single sale from anyone with means; rather, trying to assist and offer other options to the many who are already constrained financially and further burdened by financial hardships placed upon them due the OC.

Don, if someone wants to part with their mixer and posts it here, it is going to be OK with us, and we would encourage it. But while I needed my mixer during in my treatments, I never wanted to part with it (even as a below average cook) for use in my kitchen. It replaced other machines with one thing that does it all -the Cuisinart is history and gone from the couter, as a couple pulses on the Vitamix does the same thing. So we are making soups and dips in it all the time, and I still eat one meal a day as a blended drink of whatever is laying around from fruits to veggies to even� yes, lunch meat that is about to go out of date tossed in. (For sure it's a nasty color, and isn't my favorite taste, but no one can argue with the nutritional value, nor the economic issue of not tossing out that orphaned last piece of turkey that isn't enough to do anything with).

I've even recently bought (before OCF's involvement) a new 7500 machine to replace my older one which now is in the kitchen of a friend's house. They are just too useful. So I encourage people to help others and offer things like this on the boards here, but once you have one of these things, you realize that it has many uses besides that period of your life where it was a necessity.

To kinda put this in perspective some interesting bits of stuff from talking to Vitamix. On an average QVC day selling them on TV, they will sell 28,000 units. That's not a typo. And QVC is not their biggest retailer, non of whom get to compete based on price. Pretty popular machine.

Brian, did you just say (out loud) you made lunch meat taste worse...on PURPOSE.

My mother started using her Vitamix in the early 90's or late 80's. She always said it was the best thing that ever happened in the kitchen, next to her Jenn Air grill.

If it is a left over in the fridge�. it ends up in my smoothie. Waste not want not. As long as it is nutritious. I pass on that left over piece of cake Ingrid brings home occasionally. But this machine will turn anything into liquid, so it all goes in�.