HFC's Humans of Dementia Storytelling Scholarship

Hilarity for Charity (HFC) is a national non-profit on a mission to care for families impacted by Alzheimer's disease, activate the next generation of Alzheimer's advocates, and be a leader in brain health research and education.

HFC is accelerating progress in Alzheimer’s care, prevention, and support all while bringing laughs and light to the Alzheimer’s space. Through its signature celebrity events, HFC also raises much-needed awareness about this disease

HFC is currently accepting nominations for our 2025 Scotty Caregiver Awards.

HFC is currently accepting submissions for our 2025 Humans of Dementia Scholarship.

To Be Eligible You Must:

• Be enrolled in high school or college in the U.S. or Canada.  Homeschooled students are eligible to enter. Graduate students are eligible to enter.
• Feature someone currently living with or who has passed away from Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
• Submit no more than one entry per category.  You may submit one entry in both categories (one written and one photo entry).
• Keep your written submissions to no more than 750 words and your photo submissions to no more than THREE photos.
• Include parental consent in your application if you are under the age of 18.

2025 Submission Period Ends May 1, 2025 (11:59 pm PT)

Your Submission:

Think of someone in your life who had or still lives with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The person can be a relative, a friend, or someone in your community. The person you profile should be someone you know or knew, not a public figure. This is your chance to tell their story or feature a compelling aspect of their life, character, accomplishments, or contributions. Aim to emphasize the person's humanity and not the disease.

You are encouraged to explore unique perspectives and be creative with the story you are telling using words and/or photo images (at this time we are not accepting video or other multimedia).

Here are some suggested starting points. This is not meant to be used as a checklist. These are suggested prompts to help get you started. Take your time with the storytelling process!

• Describe the person you profiling so that the reader feels like they are in the same room with them.
• Paint a picture of the person's life before the onset of Alzheimer's.
• Share some early memories or stories about the person.
• Include anecdotes that capture the person's personality, interests, and achievements.
• Share any poignant or memorable moments that have occurred since the diagnosis.
• Include both positive and challenging experiences to provide a balanced portrayal.
• Include any memorable quotes or sayings from the person, either from the past or in the present.
• Reflect on the significance of these expressions in the context of their journey with Alzheimer's.
• Discuss any lessons you have learned from the person or your experience with someone living with Alzheimer's.
• Reflect on the impact it has had on your perspective on life and relationships.

For photo entries, your image(s) may encompass any angle/subject related to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia – living with the disease, caregiving, treatment, science, etc.  This can be candid, portraiture, environmental portrait, documentary, double exposure, or still-life (loved one's objects). Try to avoid overused and cliche representations. You can submit color or black & white; film or digital; smartphone or camera. You may submit up to three (3) single images.  Entrants will be judged on a single image only.  Still images only (no video or multimedia).