The Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina sets aside funds generated by fundraisers each year to provide financial support for college scholarships. To be considered for a BDASC Scholarship, an applicant must meet the following criteria:1. Must be a resident of South Carolina; 2. Must be enrolled or accepted at an accredited educational institution, to include accredited colleges, universities, and technical and vocational schools; 3. Must have a diagnosis of a bleeding disorder; or be a dependent child of a person with a bleeding disorder; be a sibling of a person with a bleeding disorder; be a parent of a dependent child with a bleeding disorder; or be a spouse of someone with a bleeding disorder.
Applications must be completed and received before the deadline dates. The Chapter will determine each year how many scholarships to award depending on funds received within each year and the number of qualified applications received. In addition, three special scholarships will be awarded each year described below.
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.
Regan Kayleigh Weber
Home town: Greenville, SC
Parents: Mathew and Maranda Weber
High School: Mauldin High School
Graduated: 2022
Institution: Clemson University ( Current Freshman)
Major or intended field of study: Modern Languages (French)
Essay Quote: “Hemophiliacs can do anything that any other person can. Jack has no fear of his hemophilia and lives his life just like any other teenage boy. He has never and will never let his hemophilia hold him back. Hemophilia has also given me so many connections that is would never have has before.”
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.
2023 Award Recipient:Sarah Beth Walden
Home town: Buffalo, SC
Parents: Mike and Kim Walden
High School: Union High School
Graduated: 2022
Institution: Winthrop University
Major or intended field of study: Athletic Training
Essay Quote: “Being a part of the bleeding disorders community has allowed my family and me to interact with others with a bleeding disorder. Having a community of people who understand what it is like living with a bleeding disorder allows me to feel more confident in talking about it with other people.”
Mark Asbury Eichelberger Memorial ScholarshipMark Asbury Eichelberger of Columbia, SC, 52, passed away on December 4, 2020 and was the son of Hattie Eichelberger Brown and the late William Asbury Eichelberger. Mark was a high school graduate of Calhoun Academy and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from USC. He was proud to support Hemophilia of South Carolina, serving in multiple capacities including president, vice president, as well as being a member of the board of directors for many years. He was known for many things; his love of Gamecock football, his sense of humor and outgoing personality, but his most defining quality was his selflessness. Mark had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone. Mark, and his significant other of 25 years Cris Tucker (the Chapter’s treasurer for many years), served the Chapter for most of their adult lives as board members and volunteers. Mark and his family were involved in the Chapter from the time Mark was a young boy. His parents, along with the Fisher’s, started the Chapter in 1973. His father William Eichelberger was the very first president. Mark attended camp which the Chapter began for our state when there was no camp for children with hemophilia. His devotion to the Chapter and the South Carolina community affected by bleeding disorders will never be forgotten and we owe a debt of gratitude for his services to our community. His blood brothers are grieving the loss of their fellow brother. We miss Mark and will always remember him in our hearts. This year’s Mark Asbury Eichelberger Scholarship is being provided by the generous donations to the Chapter in his honor.
Makayla Carrie Keith
Home town: Columbia, SC
Parents: Ward and Marilyn Keith
High School: Irmo High School
Graduated: 2023
Institution: University of South Carolina
Major: Nursing
Essay Quote: “Hemophilia has sparked my interest in the medical field and with the right education and support, I feel like I can succeed with my goals. I get to be part of the HOPE and future we want as a chapter. As a nation. As a group with rare genetic mutations.”
Ava Elizabeth Newhart
Home town: Awendaw, SC
Parents: Ryan and Laura Newhart
High School: Wando High School
Graduated: 2023
Institution: Clemson University
Major or intended field of study: Psychology
Essay Quote: “I am constantly donating to charities and drives. It feels really important for me to give back to my community. Being involved in different clubs and organizations is not just for my resume, but because I really enjoy doing it; I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in helping others. Yes, medicine is constantly changing but hemophilia and all bleeding disorders are still being overlooked. It is time to make a change and it’s time that everyone understands what hemophilia is. As I have been coming to BDASC events as a teenager, I have become more confident and educated about hemophilia so that I can educate and advocate for my dad, myself as a carrier, and for my potential sons.”
Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation and a member organization of Hemophilia Federation of America.
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