During Colton Allen’s 15-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), his caregivers brought extraordinary dedication to their work.
That work is now being recognized through the Colton Allen Memorial Scholarship, a new endowment fund established by the Allen Family through Ashland Community Health Foundation to support local nursing students who have experience as caregivers.
Finding Light in Dark Times
Colton’s story with ALS began in 2007 when the active hockey player and construction company owner started experiencing unexplained trips and falls. By 2008, he had received his diagnosis, beginning a gradual yet determined adaptation to life with a progressive disease.
Despite mounting physical challenges, Colton found joy and purpose in photography — a passion that flourished even as his mobility declined. “The ALS Association bought a mount for his camera on his wheelchair, and he was able to continue living his passion,” his wife Tiffany shares.
As part of a photography group, Colton took family travel photos and striking self-portraits, capturing images while living by his personal motto: “Live each day in the moment.”
Caregivers Made the Difference
Central to Colton’s journey were the caregivers who became like family. Claudia, Jackie, Rachel, and Jillian — names Tiffany repeats with affection — were among those who “made his day.” Initially funded through the ALS Association, these caregivers provided 20 hours of weekly support for several years, with the family later hiring additional private caregivers.
“The only reason I could work and go to nursing school was because we had support in-home,” Tiffany explains. “It doesn’t last forever, but the caregivers make a big impression while they’re there.”
Many of Colton’s caregivers expressed interest in pursuing nursing degrees, and Tiffany—who is herself a Family Nurse Practitioner and past Evans Nursing Scholarship recipient—recognizes the significant barriers they face.
“For those who want to go on to get a nursing degree, the cost of education is astronomical,” she notes. “Caregiving is an unlicensed profession, and paying for school and the prerequisites is a big barrier.”
A Scholarship Born from Gratitude
The Colton Allen Memorial Scholarship addresses these challenges directly. Available to nursing students in the Rogue Community College (RCC) or Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Ashland Campus programs, the scholarship specifically supports those who have provided paid or unpaid caregiving — whether for family members or others.
“This scholarship is designed to recognize people who are caregiving, sometimes with little or no compensation for the time and talents they give,” Tiffany shares. “I’m so grateful to have benefited from the Evans Nursing Scholarship, and to be in a position to pay it forward.”
The Allen Family’s generous $100,000 endowment gift demonstrates how personal experiences can transform into lasting community impact. Their scholarship will support nursing students for many years to come, honoring both Colton’s memory and the caregivers who touched their lives with such dedication.
The fund is open for additional contributions, ensuring the scholarship’s impact continues to grow and reach more deserving students who have already demonstrated their commitment to caring for others.
The Colton Allen Memorial Scholarship recognizes the essential work caregivers do every day. If you’re inspired by the Allen Family’s generosity and would like to learn more about establishing your own named fund or endowment through ACHF, contact Stephanie Roland at 541-482-0367 x2.
