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Joele Ruppert & Joseph Colton ASMD Scholarship

Nomination Deadline is May 15th

Scholarship Information:

The Joele Ruppert and Joseph Colton ASMD Scholarship provides one-time scholarship funding of $500.00 to individuals diagnosed with ASMD for studies in post-secondary (high school) degrees, including two-year colleges, four-year colleges, vocational schools, and other post-secondary institutions.

Scholarship Background:

Joele Ruppert and Joseph Colton are a much-loved daughter and son, both diagnosed with ASMD, whose parents, Jeff and Kara Ruppert and James and Alexandra Colton, demonstrated compassion, courage, selflessness, and perseverance from the beginning to the end of their children’s journeys. The words and deeds of these two families proved inspirational to another family of a child diagnosed with ASMD, and indeed, to all who knew Joele and Joseph. This scholarship is in honor of the lives of these two cherished children and their parents who embodied the highest values of the human spiri

The Joele Ruppert and Joseph Colton ASMD Scholarship fund began in August 2020 when Evren Ayik, at that time a graduating high school senior, was awarded the Sanofi Genzyme TORCH Award for his work in advocacy for individuals and families affected by ASMD. The NNPDF, in gracious acknowledgement of Evren’s wishes to endow a scholarship for other students with ASMD, supported his proposal for the financial contribution that is offered to the TORCH Award recipient’s chosen non-profit organization serving the rare disease community. In naming the scholarship, Evren recognized that many years earlier, he and his own family were also encouraged and inspired by the Ruppert and Colton families, and he wished to honor both of the children who lived with ASMD, Joele and Joseph, and their respective parents, all of whom are exceptional people.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Applicant must be diagnosed with ASMD. If applicant is not currently a member of the NNPDF, applicant must submit proof of diagnosis from a physician.
  • Scholarship recipients must be US residents pursuing studies in the U.S.
  • Applicants are eligible for one-time participation in the scholarship program.
  • Applicant must currently be a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program.
  • Applicants must submit proof of enrollment in a degree program or vocational school program within 90 days of receiving the scholarship.
  • If chosen, recipients must be willing to allow the NNPDF to publish their name and photograph in NNPDF’s publications.

Send completed application to
[email protected]
Application Deadline is May 15th, 2024

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