The Jason Christopher Wilhelm ​Scholarship Fund
​is committed to:

The pursuit of college education by high school students who demonstrate academic discipline and are a positive example to their peers while participating in a team sport or musical group throughout high school.
The immediate financial need of cancer patients, in an effort to reduce the stress placed on the individual and family during the course of treatment.
Increased awareness and research, to ultimately eliminate the devastating threat of cancer to cut short another life full of potential.

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About The Jason
​Christopher Wilhelm Scholarship Fund

a 501(c)(3)non-profit corporation

History

​In the fall of 2008, founder Doug Closinski decided to honor the memory and legacy of his oldest nephew, Jason Wilhelm, by establishing a non-profit organization in his name. In 2003, Jason was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer that would take his life in 2008 at the age of 25.
​On June 11, 2009, the first yearly scholarships were awarded to two high school seniors from Camden, New York. The following year, three scholarships were given and the number of patient donations increased significantly as the mission of the Fund reached more donors and recipients. The Fund continues to grow as the Board Officers work to find more efficient and innovative ways to generate, manage, and distribute gifts from the supporters of The Jason Christopher Wilhelm Scholarship Fund.

Location And Reach Of The Fund

​Although officially incorporated in Wilton, New York, the Fund operates primarily from the city of Rome, center of the Central New York communities in which Jason grew up, lived, and performed... Camden, Sylvan Beach, Whitesboro, and Utica also treated him as one of their own.
​Jason's alma mater of Camden High School is the focus of our Scholarship Awards. Other recipients live primarily within a thirty-mile radius of nearby Rome, New York.
We plan to expand the scholarships to neighboring schools and extend the area in which The Fund can effectively serve, as allowed by our working budget.

When cancer hardship is taking names... 
Call us jaycwsfund.

Because The Jason Christopher Wilhelm Scholarship Fund was founded to give scholarships to deserving high school seniors, we continuously ensure that funds are available for our annual awards. It's a good feeling to have money when needed, and to know exactly when it will be required.
​However, the financial needs of a cancer patient are unpredictable and overwhelming. The only guarantee is a choice of necessity over comfort, adding to the stress of treatment and recovery for the patient and family.
​The Fund is committed to lessening the financial strain placed on cancer patients through direct donation to qualified recipients.
​Our working budget prevents us from offsetting large medical costs. We focus instead on distributing amounts beyond the scope of individuals, with immediate access that a large corporation cannot provide.
​To be in the right place, at the right time, to increase comfort and decrease stress of cancer patients and their families... this ideal shares an equal place with the giving of scholarships in the overall mission of the Fund.
​Do you know someone that could qualify as a recipient of funds from The Jason Wilhelm Scholarship Fund?