A trust fund at Central Florida Educators Credit Union is being established to promote public awareness of primary amebic meningoencephalitis that caused the recent death of PCCA 5th grader Will Sellars. Although very rare, this form of encephalitis is almost always fatal. The Naegleria fowleri amoebas that caused Will's condition thrive in Florida's fresh lake and river water that is warmer than about 80 degrees.

These amoebas do not cause infections by entering a cut or by swallowing, but rather can enter the body via the nose, where they have direct passage to the brain. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.

The Naegleria fowleri amoebas tend to live near the bottom, particularly in the shallows, and they become much more prevalent in warmer water. The best advice is to limit activities in fresh water lakes and rivers during the summer. If you do go in the water, then stay close to the surface, swim in the deepest part, avoid activities that might force water up the nose like diving and roughousing, wear nose clips, and stay out of stagnant water.