About Scholarship Funding

The Association is grateful to the following donors who generously fund these scholarships:

Gerard Swartz Fudge Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is supported in part by Ellie Botti and Molly Mastrangelo

This fund was established in 1994 by the Fudge family in honor of their son Gerard, who lived with hydrocephalus. In 1992, at age 22 and in the midst of his college experience, Gerard died. Two scholarships are awarded each year from this fund.

Baldus Family Scholarship in Memory of Gerard Swartz Fudge

This fund was established in 2017 by Sally Baldus, the aunt of Gerard Swartz Fudge. Gerard lived with hydrocephalus and, in 1992, at age 22 and in the midst of his college experience, passed from complications of the condition. One scholarship is awarded each year from this fund.

Morris L. and Rebecca Ziskind Memorial Scholarship Fund

This fund was established in 2001 by Rebecca Ziskind and her family in memory of Rebecca’s husband, Dr. Morris Ziskind. Dr. Ziskind had normal pressure hydrocephalus. After Rebecca Ziskind’s death in 2005, the couple’s three surviving children and their spouses—Carrie and Dee Norton, Jerome and Rosemary Ziskind, and Janet and Charles Tarino—graciously endowed this fund in loving memory of both parents. Two scholarships are awarded each year from this fund.

Anthony Abbene Scholarship Fund

This fund was established in 2002 by Anthony Abbene’s extended family in honor of this teenager with hydrocephalus. Two scholarships are awarded each year from this fund to offset educational costs of a student with hydrocephalus.

Justin Scot Alston Memorial Scholarship Fund

Gloria M. Alston established this scholarship in loving memory of her son, Justin Scot Alston, who died in 2004. Justin received a Hydrocephalus Association scholarship in 2002 and will be remembered for his tremendous optimistic attitude and all that he accomplished during his short life.

Mario J. Tocco Hydrocephalus Foundation Scholarship Fund

Greg and Georgana Tocco along with their families established this scholarship in 2007 in loving memory of Greg’s grandfather, Mario, and in honor of the Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc. of Saugus, MA.

Kate Finlayson Memorial Scholarship

The Finlayson Family established this scholarship in 2017 in loving memory of their daughter, sister, and aunt, Kate, to honor the strength, determination, and resilience of all those living with the challenges of hydrocephalus. Kate, whose grace and compassion for others still inspires her family daily, passed from complications of hydrocephalus at age 26, while pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. One scholarship is awarded each year from this fund.

Jacobsen Family Scholarship

Established in 2021 to support the continuing education of students who continue to strive with determination and resilience while dealing with the daily impacts of hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus Association Scholarship

Erik and Lisa Chamberlain began providing support of this scholarship in 2015 in honor of their son, Myles Chamberlain. Born in 2011, Myles optimism, positive energy and determination touch us all on a daily basis. One scholarship is awarded from this scholarship. However, the number awarded through the Hydrocephalus Association Scholarship Fund may vary each year depending on available funding.