Community Foundation Fund Supports
Battle Against Brain Tumors

May 9, 2007:  Every year in the United States more than 200,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumor, which has become the leading cause of cancer death in children less than 20 years of age. While children hold the highest recovery rate with 60 percent surviving into adulthood, adults over the age of 45 have less than a 15 percent chance of surviving a brain tumor.

When former Community Foundation trustee, George E. Randall, President of Randall Family LLC and editor and publisher of the Frederick News-Post, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 52, these startling statistics brought to light the insidious nature of brain tumors. A strong leader and visionary, Mr. Randall’s passing in May of 2004 after a courageous 19-month battle left a significant void in the Frederick County Community.

In a tragic twist of fate Dr. Stephen J. Eshman had diagnosed George Randall with a brain tumor and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with one himself. A well-respected doctor in the Frederick County community, Dr. Eshman was also an active volunteer at area high schools. When a brain tumor took his life in July 2003, Dr. Eshman was only 49 years old, and the Frederick County community lost a true humanitarian.

To honor the memory of these two distinguished Fredericktonians, and to further advance a cure for brain tumors, their friends turned to The Community Foundation of Frederick County to establish The Stephen J. Eshman and George E. Randall Memorial Fund. Created by Dr. James M. Steinberg, Douglas F. Spingola and William F. Orr, the Fund will provide grants for the research of brain tumors and assistance for brain tumor patients.

“We thought that establishing this Fund would be a great way to honor these two outstanding men while giving something back to the community. We hope to keep their memory alive by helping others facing similar obstacles ," says Dr. Steinberg.

The First Annual Stephen J. Eshman and George E Randall Memorial Golf Classic will be held on June 22nd and will raise awareness of brain tumors and benefit the Stephen J. Eshman and George E. Randall Memorial Fund. Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, Maryland will host the golf tournament. For more information about this day of golf, food, and fun contact Jim Steinberg or Doug Spingola at 301-694-8311or Bill Orr at 301-698-4710.

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been weaving the fabric of a better community by transforming the unique charitable dreams of individuals, families and organizations into the reality of charitable funds supporting a range of worthy causes in the community. Over one-fourth of the funds held by the Community Foundation honor the memories of deceased loved ones by continuing to touch lives in meaningful ways in their names. To date, the Community Foundation has provided more than $15 million in grants and scholarships.

Contributions to The Stephen J. Eshman and George E. Randall Memorial Fund are accepted at any time in any amount. Checks may be made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701, with the Fund’s name inserted in the check’s memo line. To donate online, click here. All check or online contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.