The St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund is accepting applications for a $10,000 scholarship that will go to a former professional truck driver whose medical problems led to being unable to drive a truck.


The award money will be used to fund an education at a college or trade school. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2012. The scholarship winner will be announced at the Mid-America Truck Show on Saturday, March 24.

This scholarship program was made possible by the National Association of Independent Truckers' $100,000 donation to the Fund last March.

"We often have applicants who will never be able to drive again due to a medical condition, such as being an insulin dependent diabetic," explained Donna Kennedy, executive director. "However, these individuals are fully capable of earning a living by other means. We want to help them along by offering an opportunity to go to school to learn another trade."

The St. Christopher Fund was founded in late 2007 as a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to provide assistance to professional truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship. The SCF also conducts health research to benefit professional drivers and the trucking industry. To date, the fund has been able to provide over $178,000 in financial assistance to more than 430 drivers. Assistance has been in the form of direct payment for household expenses, prescriptions, and medical bills. Among other things, approximately 100 additional drivers were able to receive assistance in negotiating hospital/doctor bills, finding local resources, and with finding physicians to help them.