A Speed skater (short track or long track) who meets the following criteria:

• Currently under a physician's care for a chronic medical condition.

• A citizen or permanent resident of the US or Canada.

• A current member of US Speedskating or Speed Skating Canada.

• 18 years or younger as of July 1, 2020

No, any eligible speed skater can apply, there is no financial test.

What is a chronic medical condition?

A chronic medical condition or disease is one lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic conditions generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear. A chronic medical condition affects a child's normal activities, and requires lots of hospitalizations and/or home health care and/or extensive medical care. Chronic medical condition is an "umbrella" term. Children with chronic illnesses may be ill or well at any given time, but they are always living with their condition. Some examples of chronic conditions include (but are not limited to:

• Asthma

• Diabetes

• Sickle cell anemia

• Cystic fibrosis

• Cancer

• AIDS

• Epilepsy

• Congenital heart problems

• Clinical Depression

• Celiac Disease

The scholarship is in the amount of $2,000 USD. There will be up to three (3) scholarships awarded in 2022.

The scholarship has been funded for five years, begining in 2018 and ending in 2022.

If an applicant is awarded a scholarship they cannot reapply in following years. Non-winning applicants can reapply.

The scholarship is managed by the Buffalo Speedskating Club (BSC), and the scholarship administrator who is appointed by the board of the BSC. The application deadline is September 1, 2022. The recipients will be announced on October 1, 2022. Payment (mailed checks) will be made by October 15, 2022. In the event that all three scholarships are not awarded in a given year, the scholarship funds not awarded will be used in the following year.

The scholarship evaluation committee is comprised of three individuals as follows:

• BSC certified coach or board member

• A prominent member of the speedskating community

• Medical Professional with ties to the speedskating community

To help ensure impartiality, the names of the committee members will not be announced until after the selections have been made. At this time the committee members will be publicly acknowledge and thanked.

The scholarship is funded by the Noble Family Foundation through a donation from the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. The scholarship was funded for five years with 2022 being the last year.

The Noble Family Foundation was established upon the passing of Beatrice Noble. Through hard work, study and selflessness, throughout her life Beatrice cared and provided for family, friends and strangers alike. In keeping with the charitable goals and wishes of Beatrice, the Foundation has chosen to provide funding.