Creative Generosity

When Claudia Garthwait learned about the recent shake-ups to federal research funding, she wanted to do something. “I wondered how the changes and uncertainty would affect cancer research at UVA and if there was anything I could do now to help,” she said. 

A few years ago, after her beloved partner, Victoria “Vic” Gee, passed away from a rare and aggressive blood cancer, Claudia decided to leave a portion of her estate to UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her bequest will create the Victoria Gee Endowment for Cancer Research to support new treatments and cures for blood cancers like Vic’s. While Claudia’s estate gift will establish a legacy of support for future breakthroughs, her desire to make an impact earlier was growing stronger. That’s when the idea of donating her condo was offered as a unique solution.

Claudia had already been thinking of moving, but she felt encumbered by the process of selling her home. 

“When a gift officer mentioned that I could donate real estate, I was intrigued. It would save me from having to deal with selling my home or passing that burden on to my executor, who lives in another state. Also, because UVA is a nonprofit, they would not pay capital gains tax on the property, ensuring more of the proceeds would go directly to the causes I wanted to support,” she said.

Claudia has designated three areas for immediate funding from the condo sale. The majority has been allocated to the Victoria Gee Expendable Fund for Cancer Research. This current-use fund is available to fuel promising blood cancer research today, in advance of the ongoing support that will come from her estate-created research endowment. The remaining proceeds were divided between the UVA Cancer Patient Care Fund, which helps patients in need of lodging, transportation, and support for other expenses, and the Couric Family Oncology Clinical Operations Support Fund, which supports professional development for oncology staff.

A Challenge They Didn’t Ask For

It was on Christmas Day, 2014, that Claudia and Vic received their life-altering news. After months of uncertainty and testing, Vic had been diagnosed with something they’d previously never heard of: mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). 

The oncologist who diagnosed Vic recommended she seek treatment at UVA Health from Michael E. Williams, MD, an internationally recognized expert in MCL. That advice was critical. 

“I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Williams. He’s an amazing physician, researcher, and person,” Claudia said. 

Vic’s treatment included an intensive regimen of chemotherapy, followed by radiation. The experience was daunting, but what stood out to Claudia was the exceptional quality of both the medical care and the people delivering it. 

For example, before Vic’s first infusion, Claudia recalls that a nurse asked if she would like to pray together. Another time, during a painful bone marrow procedure, a physician played Vic’s requested song, Celtic Woman’s “Auld Lang Syne,” on repeat, while Claudia held her hand and sang along. “I just thought, we are in good hands,” said Claudia.

Over time, the hospital became a second home. There were difficult days when Vic didn’t want to go to treatment, when the weight of it all felt unbearable. But there were also moments of light: laughter with nurses, spontaneous lunches after appointments, even afternoons on the tennis court when Vic felt strong enough to play.

“We celebrated every single good moment,” Claudia said.

Vic passed away in March 2018, just days after entering hospice care. Her death was, in Claudia’s words, “absolutely crushing,” but also, in some ways, a blessing in that Vic was released from her pain.

Now, Claudia finds purpose in honoring Vic’s life by supporting UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center and its efforts to provide the most compassionate, state-of-the-art care while continually discovering and developing new ways to better prevent and treat cancer.

Easing the Burden of Cancer for Others

“I’m incredibly grateful for this support,” said Dr. Williams. “Victoria benefited from some of our research early on. That treatment is now FDA-approved. Patients like Victoria motivate us to continue on our path to progress,” he said. 

Claudia is grateful for the ongoing advances in MCL treatment emerging from the work of Dr. Williams and others. She recently asked Dr. Williams how Vic’s prognosis might differ today. His answer was striking. Previously, the survival of MCL patients was only a few years; now, it’s typically eight to 12 years or more. Today, novel, targeted immunotherapies and even chemotherapy-free regimens generate deep remissions and have the potential to cure patients with MCL.

For Claudia, that progress underscores the importance of continued support—for cancer research, for cancer care, and for the people navigating the unimaginable. 

“This is happening right here in Charlottesville,” said Claudia. “And it matters.”

Claudia also has high praise for the many physicians, nurses, and staff who provided such comfort, kindness, and expert care to her and Vic, and she remains moved by the other patients and families they encountered at UVA Health’s outpatient cancer clinic, the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. Once, when Claudia accompanied Vic to an appointment, she met a patient in the waiting room who’d risen at 3 a.m. to get to town in time for her treatment because she couldn’t afford a hotel. For many patients across Virginia, especially in rural areas, access to care depends on the ability to travel, take time off work, afford childcare, and navigate other logistical and financial complexities.

“That stayed with me,” Claudia said. “I remember thinking, this is what people need help with.”

Through her generosity, Claudia is ensuring that Vic’s legacy continues—not only in the memories of Vic’s loved ones but also through the compassionate care and hope that Claudia’s support of UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is helping to make possible.

To learn more about gifting real estate to benefit UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, please see "Donating Real Property" in this issue.