It is a sad reality, and not rare: When children have a parent or guardian who suffers from the cruel degenerative nervous system disease of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, those children are more likely to lose that parental figure.
Recognizing the profound impact of a death on families, and particularly on a child’s educational aspirations, the nonprofit ALS Northwest has joined with the Oregon State Treasury to create a new scholarship program through the state-administered Oregon College Savings Plan.
Today, State Treasurer Tobias Read and ALS Northwest are lauding the successful launch of the Elinore Nudelman ALS College Savings Program, and the announcement of the first family to receive financial help from the fund. With the scholarship now active, the public is also being invited to make tax-deductible donations to expand the compassionate program’s reach.
“Education is a steppingstone to a better life, and this pioneering effort ensures that children who lose a parent or guardian to ALS don’t also lose the ability to benefit from career training or college,” said State Treasurer Tobias Read, whose late father suffered from ALS.
Cassy Adams, Care Services Director for ALS Northwest, said the challenge of saving for and financing education is a common struggle for many children who lose a parent or guardian to ALS. “Through the gift of education, we aim to empower the next generation with hope, opportunity, and the necessary tools for success,” she said.
Since the program launched in April, four children are receiving financial help and several more are in the pipeline, Adams said.
The first child to participate in the program is 12-year-old Izzy Canepa of Springfield, whose father, Michael Canepa, died of ALS in December of 2023.
“We are deeply grateful for the Elinore Nudelman ALS College Savings Program, which has been a huge relief in planning for Izzy’s education,” said Christine Acuna, Izzy’s mother. “We are thankful to be able to secure her future with the help of ALS Northwest and believe this program will support many families to come.”
In 2023, approximately 7 percent of families receiving assistance from ALS Northwest included at least one child under the age of 18.
Responding to this crucial need, the Elinore Nudelman ALS College Savings Program aims to mitigate the financial burden by enabling children ages 17 and younger to build savings for their educational pursuits and overall life success, if a parent or guardian dies of ALS.
The program is named after a longtime booster and benefactor of Portland State University who died in 2005. The initiative is a collaboration between her family and ALS Northwest, in coordination with the Oregon College Savings Plan. “This program ensures her legacy of compassion and generosity continues to impact lives,” said Adams of ALS Northwest.
Beneficiaries receive a funded account through the Oregon College Savings Plan. The Treasury-administered program allows families to save tax-free for college, community college, vocational training, and other education-connected costs, while also receiving an annual Oregon income tax credit worth as much as $180 for single filers and $360 for joint filers.
For more information about the Elinore Nudelman ALS College Savings Program and how to contribute, please visit https://alsoregon.org/college-...
