The Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina (BDASC) offers scholarships to eligible individuals who meet specific criteria. Here’s an overview of the requirements and process:
To be considered for a Scholarship, applicants must meet all criteria and submit their completed application before the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly address all criteria in their application to enhance their chances of receiving the award.
John Henry Tiller, March 16, 1962- May 31, 2022
The John Henry Tiller Memorial Scholarship was enacted in 2023 upon his passing. John’s history with the chapter dates to its inception as he and his wife Dana have been very devoted to the organization’s mission and its members. John served many years ago as legal counsel to the Chapter. Upon his passing, John bequeathed funds to the organization providing continued support to the South Carolina Community. We are thankful for John and Dana’s devotion to Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina and honor his memory and commitment with this memorial scholarship. John was a pre-eminent trial attorney and mediator, and was held in the highest regards by his clients, the judiciary, and other layers, both plaintiff and defense. He was named “South Carolina Litigator of the Year” in 2012 and received numerous other prestigious awards throughout his career. John was an enthusiastic outdoors man who loved spending time playing golf, boating, fishing, and hunting with friends. John is survived by his loving wife of thirty- three years, Dana and numerous godchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins, all who gave him great joy.
Institution: Greenville Technical College
Major or intended field of study: Pre-Law, than to Law School
Essay Quote:
“I have lived most of my life with next to no sense of consistency. My faculties are so altered by my platelet levels, that whenever my platelet counts drop, I have to do everything in my power to not suffer academically and socially. This is not helped by the reluctance of my insurance and doctors to admit me for treatment, except when they both agree that it is necessary and no higher priority patients need admittance first. When my platelet count is allowed to drop, I lose most interest in doing things die to heightened sensitivity to pain, and I often become uncharacterizable confused and struggle to communicate. Despite all of this, I make a point of being active in my community and at BDASC. I officially interned for a week and helped with advocacy at the SC state house. I have been in Honor Role and a member of the National Honors Society most my High School years and plan to go to law school and become an attorney, and hopefully a published writer.”
Dr. Alba Myers Lewis of Orangeburg was a retired educator, and mother to son, Alexander “Mickey” Carrion Lewis, Jr. who was born with hemophilia. After graduating first in her class with a B.S. degree in education from S.C. State in 1946, she went on to receive the M.S. degree in education in 1952. As an undergraduate student, she reigned as both May Queen and Miss South Carolina State College. In 1968, Dr. Lewis earned the Doctorate of Education from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, during an era when this was achieved by very few African American women. Throughout her academic career she specialized in Curriculum Development, Administration, Supervision, Higher Education, Elementary Education and Sociology. She did additional study at Claflin University, New York University, the University of Northern Iowa, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of North Carolina. She was certified in the state of South Carolina at all educational levels: elementary school teaching, supervision and administration, and social studies. Dr. Lewis served as a supervising teacher at her beloved Felton Laboratory School 1950-1964. She then became the Associate Supervisor of Directed Teaching at S.C. State from 1968 until 1970, at which time she returned to Felton as its director, serving in that capacity from 1970 until 1971. For the next eight years she was chairperson and professor in the Department of Education, retiring in 1979. She proudly accepted an appointment by then-Governor Richard Riley to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education in 1980 and served until 1988. In 1965, she served on the Governor’s Task Force on Education. Upon her passing, in her will she named Hemophilia of South Carolina as a beneficiary. In her honor, and with love for education, the Chapter has named the Alba Myers Lewis Scholarship in appreciation for her memorial gift.
Institution: Bob Jones University
Major or intended field of study: Theology, Biblical Counseling
Essay Quote:
“I am the oldest child in my family. I have 4 younger siblings. We were placed in foster care due to extreme physical abuse. We were adopted by loving parents when I was 5 years old. My brother and I have a bleeding disorder called Hemophilia which can really inhibit our lives and most certainly our self-esteem because of its limitations. Our parents never let that become a crutch for us. Because of our opportunity to be homeschooled, I have been able to participate in many things in our community. I have served in soup kitchens for the homeless, couched youth basketball for Upwards, taught elementary through middle school in Awana’s Club, and the most rewarding work in the local Foster Care closet for children entering foster care. I have been able to be a counselor in VBS for elementary children and speaking to them about not allowing your circumstances limit your choices. My family and many adult influences have helped me form an identity that is not from being adopted, having hemophilia, overcoming early trauma, or being bi-racial in an all-white family; it comes from knowing Jesus Crist and understanding he created my story and everything and everyone in it. However, all of these trails have created a perseverance to never give up, the knowledge that hard work is always with it, and understanding that means this is the only pathway to success. As much as my parents would like to, they simply cannot afford to completely pay for college. Id chosen, I know that I will work hard, and not squander this opportunity.”
Institution: Aiken Technical College
Major or intended field of study: Associate in Science, Meteorologist
Essay Quote:
“I do not have a bleeding disorder, but my mom and brother do. The way we found out was when my mother had a hysterectomy at 27 years old. She almost bleed to death where the doctor prayed over her. My family was scared to death. The way this scholarship would impact me would be to help pay for my college and books. My career goal is to get my associate in science degree then transfer to get my broadcasting degree in meteorology.”
Institution: Coastal Carolina University
Major or intended field of study: Engineering
Essay Quote:
“Over the years with the help of BDASC, I have learned to advocate for myself and my health. I have attended children’s and teen camp every summer since I was old enough to attend. These camps gave me a chance to meet and make lifelong friend with other people who were just like me in some ways. I enjoyed being at camp doing things that would scare my mom such as canoeing, (something I was only allowed to do at camp). These camps also gave me some independence without me worrying if my mom was scared if I would get hurt, because she was not there. The counselors and staff gave us the chance to be ourselves under close guidance. This scholarship will help me pursue one of my dreams to attend college. Currently I don’t have enough financial aid to pay for my first year in college. This will help take the stress off of my parents.”
Institution: UCS Upstate
Major or intended field of study: Nursing
Essay Quote:
“When asked how my life and my family have been influenced by my dad having a bleeding disorder, or my self being a symptomatic carrier, I remember the annual meetings, the beach trips, state and national advocacy days, and all the learning being involved in this community. There were some scary times where I would think, how could our bodies do this to us? But then I remember the doctors are working their hardest to find ways to help. Even with what seems to be a constant fear and a brain full of what ifs, being a part of this community and my dad’s diagnosis had furthered powered my drive to become a registered nurse. With this money, some of the financial burdens will be lifted off my parent’s shoulders. I am excited to officially begin my nursing school journey and any amount of assistance would be used wisely and greatly appreciated. This chapter and community mean a lot to my family and we thank you all for the support to us over the years.”
Institution: Clemson
Major or intended field of study: Modern Language, Education and French
Essay Quote:
“I have a younger brother, who has hemophilia and has been though many different treatments that have only made him stronger. Through my attendance in meetings for Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina, I have seen the community that the association has been able to make and I believe the stories that have been shared inspire everyone within the organization every day. I think it is wonderful that people can join this group and be strangers, and because of one thing, thy can connect. I believe my experience of having a brother with hemophilia gives me a much more open mind and allows me to be empathetic to others. I believe this skill will be useful as a teacher in the future.”
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation and a member organization of Hemophilia Federation of America.
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