NF Midwest Awards Their First Academic Scholarships for Adults with Neurofibromatosois

ST. CHARLES, Ill. - July 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Neurofibromatosis (NF) Midwest is proud to announce the first recipients of their new academic scholarship for adults with neurofibromatosis.

Austin Denny, 20, from North Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and Evan Carr, 17, from Marion, Illinois are both receiving $1000 scholarships for tuition and/or books.

Established this year, the NF Midwest Scholarship Program is open to individuals with neurofibromatosis who are entering or current undergraduate students (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, vocational school certification) at an accredited US-based college/university or trade/vocational school on a fulltime basis. The program is only open to US citizens living in NF Midwest’s region which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Wisconsin and the east half of Missouri. Students may only receive this scholarship once.

In selecting applicants, the NF Midwest Scholarship Committee takes into consideration each applicant’s scholastic record, character, and involvement in community service, including any NF-related activities.

Austin is seeking a certificate in Business Administration from North Central Technical College in Wausau, WI and has an interest in computers and technology repair.

Evan is working towards a degree in biochemistry from Anderson University in Anderson, IN. One day he would like to establish his own neurological disease research center.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a complex, often devastating set of genetic disorders (including NF1, NF2 and schwannomatosis) affecting approximately 1 in 2500 people that can cause tumors to grow on nerves in or on the body. These tumors can cause loss of limb, hearing, or eyesight; pain; paralysis; disfigurement; and more.

Depending on the type of NF, people with NF are also at a higher risk of variety of other complications.  For instance, learning disabilities are very common in NF1. There is also a higher risk of cancer, bone deformities, seizures, autism spectrum disorder, ADD, high blood pressure, scoliosis, speech problems, poor fine or gross motor skills and much more. NF is highly variable in that some people can be mildly affected and others severely. It is also a chronic, life time disorder that will progress, though it may be fast in some and slower in others.

NF affects all races, ethnicities and genders equally and while it is a genetic disorder that can be passed on through inheritance, over half the babies born with NF did not inherit it but rather have what is called a “spontaneous mutation”. So anyone can suddenly find that they have a loved one with NF.

Neurofibromatosis Midwest is dedicated to improving the lives of the increasing number of men, women and children challenged by neurofibromatosis. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, NF Midwest C.A.R.E.S. by improving Clinics, raising Awareness, promoting Research, providing Education and Support. Services and programs are dependent on funds raised by special events, foundations and individual donations. The NF Midwest service area includes Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and the eastern half of Missouri.

For more information about NF Midwest, call 630-945-3562 or visit http://www.nfmidwest.org.