So our relationship with Vitamix has evolved, and in December OCF is going to work on giving away a limited number of units to people who can demonstrate both financial need (on disability) and medical need, (doctors letter stetting that long-term or permanent PEG feeding is required, or that acute dysphagia requires a liquid oral diet as a result of ORAL CANCER. Please note that tons of people are on PEG systems from strokes and so much more. OCF cannot be the entity that takes care of all these people, but we want to work with those that end up in this place from oral cancer.

Secondarily. OCF is a certified Vitamix dealer. So we can sell anything that they make. We have lots of different people on these that we know, and everyone has urged us to put our efforts into one of their newest offerings the 7500. It has the high horsepower motor, newest design bowl and blades, is quieter than other models, and other features. We have already had both new and reconditioned certified (with full warrantee) units in people's hands, and everyone agrees this is the one that without the extra costs of programs which you really do not need, that does it all the best. They seem to have a good stock of reconditioned units. Note that these have mostly been used for an in store demonstration for a day, and any part that came in contact with food is changed out for brand new, and the motor is checked and re-certified, and new books CD's, and everything are added to the box. So really it is only the motor and base that was used for a day. Given the discount on these, I think it is the sweet deal.

Vitamix requires ALL their dealers from Amazon to Williams Sonoma to OCF to sell at the full retail price. There is no discounting allowed for anyone, not even a small non-profit trying to do good in the world. Dealers caught discounting will loose their dealerships. So the prices that you see on the Vitamix website are what they are. I tried to work something out with them, but it isn't happening. Know though that if you buy a unit, the small margin in it (we don't get the same discount -ie. profit margin- as Amazon who buys over 100,000 units from them a quarter) benefits the charity that you all care about. So while getting something that is cool and you want, it is also like making a donation to OCF.

Some of their dealers like WS or Amazon say things like - retail $725.00, but our price only $649.00!!! Nonsense. If you look at the Vitamix web site their retail is $649.00, so this is just making people THINK they are getting some discount they are actually are not.

We are still sorting our our corporate account code, but if you would like a unit, for now please call OCF directly, or even contact me by email, and I will place the orders for you. NOW, because we can't discount to you and we are going to make a little bit off of the order to keep the lights on at OCF, to launch this thing, we are considering giving you something that is not part of Vitamix to make choosing OCF a better deal. Right now what is in discussion is a Kroger or Albertson's gift card that we hope to be able to secure from them at around a $50 dollar value. So while Vitamix is getting their full price, you are essentially getting 50 bucks worth of food for free if you buy from OCF. So while this cuts what we would make in half, its good for you and for OCF.

Any questions, please post them here, and I will try to get to them quickly while I am traveling over the next few weeks for OCF.

Wow that sounds great! Love the coupon idea!

I'm happy to say I'm the proud owner of a Vitamix. DonFoo referred me to them and I was able to acquire a reconditioned model with full warranty for 50% off regular price. It's been a Godsend. It's a remarkable machine and we use it every day. From smoothies to soups to just about anything it's worth every penny.

All I needed was a letter from my doctor saying I needed it due to H&N cancer. I called and they were very helpful in every way. We paid around $250 plus shipping. I don't know what exact arrangements OCF has made but that's the deal I got.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

Glad to hear your doing well and the Vitamix blender has worked out so well for you. From what Brian explained on a previous thread Vitamix's medical necessity program has been discontinued. It took months of negotiations for Brian to work out a deal with Vitamix. The current OCF Vitamix deal is spelled out in Brian's post above.


Vitamix thread

I bought mine directly from Vitamix... that was in the summer of 2013

"T"

Fishman... Do you have any Vitamix recipes to pass along? How about some soup recipes?

So I'll say it one more time. It's is a great company that for several years had a medical needs program to sell them at a huge discount (50% off) to people that could prove they have a need. The fact that Vitamix discontinued their medical needs program that fishmanpa got is the very reason that OCF got involved with the company. We have far too many people in both medical and financial need to not try to help them out. I have already gotten units for 3 oral cancer people last week that tried to buy a discounted unit from Vitamix after reading threads here about their old program that is no longer in effect.

For those that do not qualify for OCF's out outright give away program, we sell them just like Amazon etc. and have access to their certified refurbished units that come with a full 7 year warranty and a really good discount compared to their brand new units. (I have one of these myself and I can't tell the difference between it and a new one.) While all of us who are affiliates or dealers of Vitamix are stuck on a fair trade map price ( non of us can discount one cent off the Vitamix retail price), for those that do not qualify for OCF's financial and medical needs free units, we hope there is some satisfaction in buying from the non profit that works for you. It isn't much of a commission that we make, but it all helps keep the lights on.

Brian makes a great point that recon units can be ordered via the OCF affiliate link with free shipping (not sure if applied to recon units). A basic unit is $260 so it is a super deal for anyone. Plus we all help OCF be the great place it is.

Support OCF!!!
Don

Note: I think the recon units are 5 year rather than 7 year warranties.

Great job, Brian!

Today I placed orders for two more units that will be donated at no charge to patients who have qualified through OCF, both 7500 refurbished units, and one full price purchase of the same but new unit for someone with free shipping. So in our first week of doing this (there hasn't been a big announcement of OCF programs, it is spreading by word of mouth) 6 units have been given away. Obviously this in only one of OCF's many program costs so there will be a limited number of these given away each month, and when that month's funding for this runs out, people will be put on a waiting list for the next months units. I wish that we could help everyone, but we have sliced out of our total budget a few thousand dollars each month to do this. We are hoping to find a major donor that will match our money so that we can offer more of them. Obviously our research funding and some other things take precedent, but we will do what we can for as long as we can.

The Blendtec unit is also good, a bit cheaper, and we would get a slight better discount on buying them. But review of their unit on Amazon have not been as stellar as the VM unit. Vitamix is the premier brand, and as a company to deal with stands behind everything to the extreme. I am actually proud to have the OCF logo and their logo seen together. Their brand is golden� as I hope people think OCF's is as well.

I had no idea they discontinued the program! It must have been soon after I got mine. Glad OCF got involved and can help others.

Christine... I'll post a few recipes when I get a few moments.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

Thank you, Brian! This is just one of the many ways that OCF helps patients and their families/caregivers.

I am constantly amazed by the efforts and caring of this Foundation...I like to think of it as a family, really.

fishmanpa ("T"), I loved seeing all of those NEDs at the end of your signature! May they continue to stay that way!

Love in OCF,
Kerri

[quote=ChristineB]Fishman... Do you have any Vitamix recipes to pass along? How about some soup recipes? [/quote]

Just made this to enjoy on a cold Sunday... It's one of my favs (works with broccoli too) (low fat options work just as well).

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of cheddar cheese (other cheeses like colby, jack or pepper jack can be mixed in)
1 1/2 cups of steamed cauliflower
1 teaspoon of diced onion
1 chicken bouillon cube
Salt and pepper to taste

Place ingredients in Vitamix in order listed
Select variable 1 and slowly increase to 10, then to high.
Blend for 5-6 minutes or until heavy steam starts to escape from the lid.
Garnish with some small cauliflower flowerettes and some shredded cheese and enjoy!

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

Thanks fishman! Im going to try this one very soon.

I'll give you one of my favs

The Vitamix makes the best Hummus!

Two cans of garbanzo beans (low sodium) One with liquid, one without
tsp of cumin
tbls of olive oil
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1 clove of garlic
1/4 cup of sesame seeds
salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients in the Vitamix.
Start at 1 and increase to 10 then to high,
Blend 45 seconds using tamper to mix ingredients

Wa La!

Wondering where I go to check on prices of these.Sounds like you can't use a regular blenders?

That soup sounds awesome, Fishman. I am scrimping and saving for a Vitamix just in case this latest tube becomes a permanent appendage.

I backed up and read entire thread; thank you Brian, for this win as well as everything else you do! I noticed and checked out the link for them posted on the forum page the other night, thinking "Wow, that's cool."

Steve I will post the whole thing here over the weekend, I am still negotiating for a better deal which is mostly about our giveaway program which is a bit hard to qualify for. There are lots of different models, and no dealer, OCF or Amazon, can discount off what it says on the Vitamix web site. But I will put it all down on Saturday when I am out of NCI meetings to that it is clear.

Awesome, Thank you Brian!

How do I watch a post? I wrote to Vitamix very recently about a medical discount and received a form letter the program had been discontinued. I'd love to be able to get one of these, I'm have so much trouble eating. There's costco I suppose? I wish I had asked Santa.

Brian, Thanks for tongue depressor tip, doing that every day since I read it on got my hands on enough.

Queen, to watch a post click on the REPLY button then under the white box click on Add the thread to my watched topics.

Since you are in the middle of rads, hopefully your eating problems will only be temporary once you finish. Most patients will go back to eating somewhat normally after a few weeks after finishing rads. A few patients will take longer, many several months. If you want to order a Vitamix thru OCF call the office M-F 10-5 PST.