When caring people and Oregon State Treasury-administered programs come together, good things can happen – even in the midst of difficult times.

A new partnership between the nonprofit ALS Northwest and the Oregon College Savings Plan is helping to ensure that when the challenging and degenerative neurological disease of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)—better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease—steals a parent or a guardian, it also doesn’t steal the future education potential of the grieving child.

The new Elinore Nudelman ALS College Savings Program launched in April, and four children were receiving scholarship help as of June 5, with several more in the pipeline. With the scholarship now active, the public is also being invited to make tax-deductible donations to expand the compassionate program’s reach.

Program participant Izzy Canepa, whose father, Michael Canepa, died of ALS in December of 2023.

“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, in a news release.

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.”

Learn more about the program, eligibility, and the legacy of Elinore Nudelman from ALS Northwest.