Sandra West ALS Foundation names Fall 2026 scholarship winners

The Sandra West ALS Foundation and Bold.org have awarded its Fall 2026 scholarships to two students affected by ALS, with grants of $10,000 and $5,000. The awards highlight how the program helps offset school costs for students carrying the emotional, financial and caregiving impact of the disease.

Why it matters: - The scholarships help students affected by ALS cover education costs while managing the disease’s emotional, financial and caregiving burden. - The program also keeps attention on ALS families and the long-term impact the disease has beyond the patient.

What happened: - The Sandra West ALS Foundation, in partnership with Bold.org, announced the Fall 2026 scholarship winners. - Niagara Millen of Mercyhurst University received $10,000. - Delaney Minor of Wofford College received $5,000. - The foundation said the award is a semi-annual scholarship for students personally affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. - The winners were chosen from more than 450 applicants nationwide.

The details: - Niagara Millen lost her mother to ALS and has continued to raise awareness and take part in ALS fundraising efforts. - The foundation said Millen’s essay highlighted perseverance, academic excellence, advocacy and interest in healthcare. - Delaney Minor is a Division I student-athlete who is recovering from an ACL injury while maintaining academic performance. - Minor is also dealing with her father’s ALS diagnosis and has supported her family while helping organize ALS awareness and fundraising efforts. - The scholarship was created to honor Sandra West’s legacy and support families navigating ALS. - The foundation says the program is designed to ease financial barriers for students facing ALS-related hardship. - Michael West, the foundation’s president, said supporting students touched by ALS is central to the mission.

Between the lines: - The scholarship winners reflect a broader focus on students who are balancing school with family illness and caregiving responsibilities. - The foundation is using scholarships not just as financial aid, but as a way to extend Sandra West’s legacy into ALS advocacy and community support. - The strong applicant pool suggests demand for targeted aid remains high among students affected by ALS.

What's next: - The Sandra West ALS Foundation is expected to continue its semi-annual scholarship program. - The foundation will keep working with Bold.org to expand scholarships and resources for students impacted by ALS. - More information is available on the foundation’s website: the foundation’s website.