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New Community
Foundation Fund to Support
Complementary Therapies for Patients with Alzheimer's
Community
Foundation Trustee Karlys Kline, with Edgar Virts and Nayoda
Kefauver of Love Care and Concern |
April 10, 2007: In the United States
alone an estimated 4 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Six people die every hour from Alzheimer’s, which has been the eighth
leading cause of death in the U.S. twice in the last ten years.
Average lifetime healthcare costs for Alzheimer’s patients have risen
to $170,000. By 2050, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease is
expected to increase from 11 million to 16 million cases.
These startling statistics are no surprise to Brunswick-area resident
Edgar Virts. He knows all too well the devastating effects of
Alzheimer’s as he watched the dramatic decline of his precious wife,
Geraldine, leading to her death in 1995.
In his ongoing crusade to help those who suffer with Alzheimer’s
Disease and related disorders, Edgar Virts has once again turned to
The Community Foundation of Frederick County to create The Edgar and
Geraldine Virts Fund for Love Care and Concern Organization. The Fund
will provide grants to Love Care and Concern in support of
complementary therapies for patients with Alzheimer’s.
Mr. Virts’ longstanding relationship with Nayoda Kefauver of Love Care
and Concern began when Geraldine was battling Alzheimer’s. Mr. Virts
says that as a former administrator with Vindobona Nursing Home, Mrs.
Kefauver was instrumental in helping Geraldine during her illness, and
that he has never forgotten the important role she played in their
lives. Mrs. Kefauver has since founded Love Care and Concern, a
nonprofit volunteer organization providing services to elderly people
in need, including those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.
“The support from the Fund will help Love Care and Concern provide
such things as sensory and occupational therapies for those who don’t
have the funds to get the help they need,” says Mrs. Kefauver.
Mr. Virts stresses the importance of helping people with the same
disease that struck his dear wife Geraldine. “Working with the
Community Foundation to help people battling Alzheimer’s Disease is
the best thing I have ever done in my life. I am grateful for this
opportunity,” says Mr. Virts.
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.
Contributions to The Edgar and Geraldine Virts Fund for Love Care and
Concern Organization 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 checks or online contributions are tax-deductible
to the fullest extent of the law.
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