Ellie Shoal Potvin
10/31/01 – 06/23/10
Ellie Potvin’s cancer battle started at the young age of 6 years old. On July 2nd 2008, she was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer called stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma. She fought a heroic battle for 2 years, having approx. 60 rounds of chemotherapy using over 10 different combinations of chemotherapy agents. Plus, 30 days of radiation to her lungs and abdomen. On July 23, 2010 Ellie earned her Angel wings. Ellie’s journey touched the hearts and souls of thousands of people through Caringbridge. In 8 short years, Ellie served her purpose on this earth. Ellie taught the world how to smile in the face of adversity, to find the blessing in each day. Her message was one of childlike faith and trust in God love’s and healing power.
During the worst of times, Ellie found a way to smile and find the joy in life. Through a looking glass, outsiders were able to follow Ellie’s day to day battlle. Through the innocence of a child’s eyes others found themselves “Lifted Up” to seek a higher purpose in life. Ellie symbolized the meaning of strength, love, hope and courage . Her purpose on earth was to restore spirits, hearts and create richer lives in individuals and families around the globe. Ellie motto was “In It to Win It” … and she played out that role till her last breath on earth. Today the family is at peace in knowing that Ellie is fully healed in heaven. Yet, Ellie’s spirit and message remains alive in the hearts of so many people she touched during her short life on earth. Amy Potvin, Ellie’s Mother, has decided to honor of her daughter’s life she will write a book on Ellie’s courageous battle against cancer. The goal is to continue to spread Ellie’s message of love, faith and hope. As well as raise awareness of pediatric cancer. Tim and Amy Potvin have created a non-profit, 501C called the “Lift Up Foundation”
Celebration of life video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1bIyBdeqlM
Team Potvin believe’s through Integrative Medicine that our Ellie would be running and playing today at the beach. Our mission going forward is to bring education, knowledge and empowerment to families dealing with pediatric cancer.
May treatment options going forward be based on knowledge… not fear and ignorance created by corporate greed and Oncologists being boxed into one way for cancer treatment. For 35 years Oncologists have been treating cancer the same way… with the same results. This has led to the #1 cause of death among children in the United States to be pediatric cancer. Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery are only part of the solution. Team Potvin believes that this radical approach in destroying our children’s bodies should be the last resort – not the first.
Please help Team Potvin be given a voice. We are in the process of creating the most powerful networking site in the world to link families, educators and friends together … to give our children the opportunity to fight with no additional suffering above the cancer. It is possible. But to learn together… we must join together. Lift Up Pediatric cancer!
What can you do today? Make a donation or create your own fundraiser to donate proceeds to the Lift Up Foundation. Just as in cancer treatment… money is what stops our children from receiving the best medical treatment in the world. Let not this be the case any longer… but first it starts with one voice. Believe in the “Lift Up” Foundation … we will fight for every Ellie in the world.
Donations can be made at www.liftupfoundation.org or by sending a check directly to the foundation. Thank you!
Lift Up Foundation
10018 Triple Oaks Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28277
“Lift Up” Foundation Inc.
“Our Children deserve to be heard, they need advocates to voice the need for awareness, research and support to families in the fight against pediatric cancer” – Amy Potvin
The Lift Up Foundation is a 501C non-profit organization created by Ellie’s parents only months after Ellie’s initial diagnosis. The motto continues to be, “In It to Win it!” Ellie thrived off this attitude and never gave her hope to be cured of all cancer. Losing the fight against cancer was never an option. And Ellie did win the battle. Through God she was healed in the heavens. As our “Lift Up” Angel, Ellie, she will guide all to truly make a difference in the lives of other pediatric families. It is our prayer that God continue to shed his light upon our team… now to guide our Lift Up Foundation to create a higher purpose through the loss of a child.
Two years ago, Team Potvin asked people around the globe to help “Lift Up” Ellie… and the world joined together to make a difference for one family. In the sharing of Ellie’s experience, many people learned to live a more purposeful life. Together, Ellie supporters were “Lifted Up” by her infectious spirit and will to live… against all odds. Team Potvin believes that Ellie will serve as the orchestrator from the heavens to build the Lift Up Foundation.
On June 26, 2010, – Family, friends and prayer warriors celebrated Ellie’s life at Calvary Church in Charlotte, NC. Those who could not attend sent pink and white balloons into the sky at 1:00pm in honor of Ellie Potvin’s life. She was an extraordinary child full of light and wisdom… many referred to her as an old soul. Today many are seeing signs of Ellie, as promised, through butterflies and rainbows.
The Lift Up Foundation seek to bring together… All who have been touched by Ellie’s battle against cancer. We need to unite together as one to make the difference to all families who fight against pediatric cancer. Team Potvin understands that it will take a force, as big as cancer, to raise awareness and find the cure. The Lift Up Foundation will launch fundraising efforts worldwide, but it will only happen by your commitment to “Lift Up” our children and be pro-active in organizing fundraisers.
The organization also cares about it members. The goal is to continue to “Lift Up” others around the world. How? Simply by the sharing of Ellie’s fight and relaying the messages that shined through her spirit. The Lift Up Foundation’s philosophy is based on Integrity, Compassion and Kindness for everyone on this earth. Never lose sight of the fact that we all struggle and need to be “Lifted Up.”
It is our belief, we will feel “Lifted Up” jointly be creating a higher purpose through Ellie’s death. As we participate in continuing Ellie’s fight against pediatric cancer … we will continue to create a more purpose driven life in others. Together through fundraising efforts, we can support financially and emotionally other pediatric cancer families. The Foundation also believes that alternative cancer treatments need to be brought to the forefront, as an “option,” in combination with conventional treatments.
Ellie was a bright soul. Her short life was to serve as a higher purpose to all. It began as simply touching the hearts and souls of people whom she had never met through Caringbridge. By just looking at her photo, Ellie’s sparkling eye’s acted as a portal to her soul and you saw the light of God. Team Potvin is proud of Ellie. Not many accomplish their purpose for life after only 8 years. Elllie’s ability to spread the message of LOVE, FAITH AND HOPE to millions of people was inspirational. The world continues to need to hear her message.
Many learned a personal message through following Ellie’s journey over the 2 years. Ellie taught children to have compassion and pray for others, she grabbed a Mother’s heart and reminded them to slow down to enjoy their kids, she softened grown men’s hearts and whispered to please work less hours and love more. AND COUNTLESS OTHER LESSONS. Some messages were simple reminders to count your blessings each day. Other messages were so powerful they saved or changed lives in ways the Potvin Family will never full grasp.
Ellie inspired and motivated other’s to join hands to continue Ellie’s fight to “Kick Cancer’s Butt!” We must believe that Ellie has not died… she is healed of all cancer. She chose to die on earth to be reborn in spirit. Elie knew in spirt that her fight against cancer would become bigger than ever! Please join our Lift Up Foundation, experience how Ellie will help to guide your path in creating a purpose through her death. We believe that you will be surprised by your spiritual growth as you help Ellie continue to “Kick Cancer’s Butt!”
The Goal of the “Lift Up” Foundation
The goal of the “Lift Up Foundation” is to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, support other families battling this disease through
emotional and financial support, plus encourage and promote alternative cancer treatment options available worldwide.
Lastly, the Lift Up Foundation hopes to bring other’s around the world together with a common bond created by an angel, Ellie.
Through this shared cancer journey… the Lift Up Foundation team will be born to raise money and create positive change for pediatric cancer.
The prayer being… that not one more child will have to suffer or die from this tragic disease. As it also shatters hearts of family members,
as they too experience incredible emotional suffering in watching a loved one battle this cancer dragon.
Twitter: liftupellie & amypotvin
Facebook: liftupellie / butterfliesforellie / Amy Potvin / Lift Up Foundation
“Blessings to all you love in this world” - Team Potvin
How can you join the “Lift Up Foundation”?
It is simple, take the first step and take action! It is easy to begin, it is hard to stay the course… life is busy! Team Potvin is looking for other’s that have a passion in supporting pediatric cancer. It could be through your own personal experience with cancer. Or maybe, you want to create change in your own life by stepping outside your box and helping others? No matter the reason, if you have the spiritual desire and energy… we want YOU to join our family – Team Potvin. This is not an exclusive club… just like cancer… anyone of you can join at any time. The Good News is… it is much more “Lifting” to be on this side of the disease. Your role will be to help ‘Lift Up” Pediatric Cancer one day a time, one family at a time, one researcher at a time. Use your talents and be proud. Team Potvin in proud of you!
HOW TO HELP…
- Make a Donation
- Involve your Company
- Organize a Fundraiser
- Solicit Corporate Sponsors
- Share Ellie’s story with others
- Ask friends to join in the fight
- Raise awareness of the Foundation
- Be Creative… share with us your ideas
- Keep motivated through a photo of Ellie
CREATE YOUR OWN FUNDRAISER IN YOUR COMMUNITY TODAY!
Be creative and have fun. This type of event helps raises awareness in your community about Pediatric cancer. It also brings in donations to the “Lift Up Foundation” that will allow us to make a difference and ‘Kick Cancer’s Butt”!
Also, you will experience many blessings that happen around you, as well as within your heart, when you put energy toward a good cause. A fundraiser will personally allow you the opportunity to meet new friends. All of you have come together to for a common cause, you already have something important to talk about! Either organizing or participating in a fundraiser is a great way to to make new friends and network. Plus, it is monumental to the Lift Up Foundation to ensure we keep low overhead and our fundraising dollars high. If you would like to organize your own fundraising event within your church, school, athletic team, company, member organization or have another great idea – Just drop us a note! Thank you.
For more information or to help please e-mail liftupfoundation.org
Blessings to all that you love in this world!
TEAM POTVIN
Laurie B Gattis
