Hospice of Washington County Seeks to Expand Community Support for The Jennifer Fund - Program Provides Support to Children—and Their Families—Facing Serious Illness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Karen M. Giffin, Associate Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer
301.791.6360
kmgiffin@hospiceofwc.org

Hagerstown, MD, February 17, 2025—Washington County families with a child 18 years or younger facing serious illness or a terminal diagnosis have benefited from above-and-beyond support from Hospice of Washington County for many years thanks to The Jennifer Fund; a special program that provides much-needed funding for the on-going, long-term needs of pediatric patients and their families.

The Jennifer Fund is named in memory of Jennifer Lourie.

The Washington County community is now invited to lend its support to The Jennifer Fund. The campaign will be year-long and a special fundraiser on Sunday, February 23, 2025, will launch the campaign. The event at Historic Milestone Farm in Hagerstown will run from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The fund was initiated with support from its founders, Ira and Carrol Lourie, and their family and friends, and now Hospice of Washington County is looking to expand The Jennifer Fund with a targeted goal of raising $100,000 at this kick-off event.

The Jennifer Fund is named for Jennifer Lourie, “a wonderful child” in the words of her father, Ira. Dr. Lourie is a child psychiatrist who spent much of his early career working for the U.S. Public Health Service on mental health policy for children before retiring from government service, moving to Washington County, and providing direct clinical care at SanMar Family and Community Services in Boonesboro, where he participated in starting a community mental health center.

Jennifer was born in 1972, and three months after celebrating her bat mitzvah at age 13 she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. After six months of treatment for the curable disease, she developed a new non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. After 18 months of what Ira describes as “horrible suffering and treatment,” she died at age 14.

Ira moved to Washington County much later, in 2002. He was recruited to join the Hospice of Washington County Board of Directors shortly thereafter and served for 13 years before retiring from the not-for-profit’s governing body. During Ira’s board service, he and Carrol created The Jennifer Fund, one of several Special Funds at the Hospice of Washington County.

“The Jennifer Fund was established at a time when Hospice of Washington County was relatively new at caring for pediatric patients. The Louries and Hospice of Washington County saw a broader need to support children and their families facing serious illness—regardless of whether the child was a hospice patient,” said Karen Giffin, Associate Vice President of Mission Advancement for Hospice of Washington County.

“Support for seriously ill children can take many forms,” Giffin explained. “The Jennifer Fund has helped families with rent, utility bills, and groceries. The fund has helped families by covering the costs of travel for specialized care and treatment at medical centers in Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, or Morgantown—gas, tolls, meals, and lodging expenses. We’ve helped with day care costs for siblings when the parents are taking their sick child to medical appointments and bought medical equipment and supplies to keep the patient comfortable at home. If it can help a child and their family, we’ve probably funded it,” Giffin explained.

“The fundraiser and campaign for The Jennifer Fund is vital to our community,” she continued, “and we are pleased to announce that generous individuals have begun the campaign with a $27,000 matching gift. We know that this will be instrumental in reaching our goal of $100,000 this year.

“The Jennifer Fund has significantly broadened its mission over time to meet the increasing demand for grief and bereavement services for children and with the increased funding made available from this campaign, we will be able to serve more children with these grief services we provide in schools,” Giffin concluded.

According to Ira and Carrol, one key initiative they've supported is Hospice of Washington County's DoveTales, a day-long summer camp dedicated to helping children who have recently experienced loss. The fund has been a consistent supporter of DoveTales, recognizing the importance of providing these children with a safe space to process their emotions and connect with others who are facing similar challenges.

A key initiative supported by the Jennifer Fund is Hospice of Washington County's DoveTales, a day-long summer camp dedicated to helping children who have recently experienced loss. During a recent camp, a butterfly launch was done with the children.

“We’re fortunate to have individuals in the community such as Dr. Ira and Carrol Lourie who understand the need to assist our pediatric patients and who understand that hospice cares for the whole family,” said Hospice of Washington County CEO Sara McKay. “But for every child who is admitted to palliative care or hospice care, there are several more who are struggling with serious illnesses, and we are so grateful for The Jennifer Fund and the much-needed help it provides to families facing such life-changing challenges.”

“We can always do more to support children and families facing serious illness,” Ira and Carrol said. “We’re grateful for the support our family, friends, and the community have provided to The Jennifer Fund over the years, and we welcome others to join our cause.”

If you would like more information on The Jennifer Fund or would like to donate, please call Hospice of Washington County’s Development Department at 301-791-6360.

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About Hospice of Washington County

Established in 1980, Hospice of Washington County is the sole licensed hospice care provider within Washington County, Maryland. Dedicated to serving the community during its most vulnerable times, Hospice of Washington County offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to each patient's medical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Care is provided wherever patients call home, whether in private residences, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities. Hospice of Washington County also operates Doey’s House, the county's only hospice center. More information is available at https://hospiceofwc.org/.