Erwin Abrams, President and CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake
In recognition of his years of commitment to promoting
hospice care around the region, Hospice Cup, Inc., has named Erwin Abrams,
President and CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake, as the 2009 honorary
chairman for Hospice Cup XXVIII.
”This is a critical time in the history of non-profit hospice in the United
States,” said Abrams. “Given the current economy, our local hospices need
the financial support of Hospice Cup more than ever. It is a privilege to be
the honorary chairman of Hospice Cup, raising awareness and funds for our
vital mission.”
Each year the Hospice Cup board of directors selects an individual who
embodies the mission and goals of the organization to serve as the honorary
chairman. Their role is to assist with increasing awareness about hospice
care and the annual regatta event that raises funds for participating
hospices in the Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, D.C., region.
“We are thrilled to have Erwin Abrams as this year’s honorary chair,” stated
Hospice Cup President Cullen Murray. “He has dedicated his professional life
to bringing awareness of compassionate care to this region and will
certainly be a great help to Hospice Cup to further our mission and goals to
support area participating hospices.”
Previous HCI chairpersons include Al VanMetre, Philip Merrill, Pat Sajak,
William F. Buckley Jr., Walter Cronkite, William Donald Schaefer, Gary
Jobson and Buddy Melges among many other well-known leaders and sailors.
Abrams announced he will be stepping down from his position as head of
Hospice of the Chesapeake effective January 1, 2010. During his 16-year
tenure at Hospice of the Chesapeake, Abrams saw the number of patients his
organization served grow from 40 per day to an average of 260. He pioneered
is bringing the concept of hospice houses to Maryland and was instrumental
in expanding the services of The Life Center at Hospice of the Chesapeake.
About Hospice Cup
This year’s participating hospices include:
Calvert Hospice,
Capital Hospice,
Hospice of the Chesapeake,
Montgomery Hospice and
Talbot Hospice Foundation.
Each must meet the standards of the National Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization.
Funds raised on behalf of Hospice Cup help pay the expenses not covered by
Medicare or private insurance. These dollars enable the hospices to provide
skilled compassionate care, comfort and dignity to the terminally ill, their
families and friends. Net proceeds are disbursed to the participating
hospices on a pro-rated basis.
Hospice Cup, Inc. (HCI) is a non-profit organization chartered under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia
for the purposes of conducting a benefit yacht race and related events. The
annual event is a cooperative effort organized by an all-volunteer HCI Board
of Directors, an Executive Director, participating area hospices and
hundreds of volunteers.
The Hospice Cup regatta is sanctioned by the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing
Association (CBYRA) and counts for CBYRA season-long High Point competition.
The race is managed by Shearwater Sailing Club and assisted by Storm Trysail
Club Chesapeake Station. Hospice Cup, Inc. is a proud member of the National
Hospice Regatta Alliance, www.hospiceregattas.org
Additional information about the event can be found online at the official
Hospice Cup web site www.hospicecup.org.
Contact: Julie Phillips-Turner
Phone: 410-490-0033
E-mail: jbpturner@aol.com