Sally and Manuel Debono were selected to receive the Leadership in Philanthropy Award for their continued and consistent generous financial support of AA&MDSIF programs and services.
In 1984 their son, Matthew Debono, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. Matthew was a cross-country runner who handled his disease, according to his parents, “with the same determination that he used to finish his races.” Diagnosed early in his freshman year at Wabash College in Indiana, Matthew regretted not being able to receive a college education. He and his brother conceived of a scholarship to help students who were similarly challenged by bone marrow failure disease.
Following his death, the family established the Matthew Debono Scholarship Fund. Over 25 years, 35 students received awards. The Debono family later established the scholarship fund with AA&MDSIF and since 2012, an additional 61 scholarships have been awarded, bringing the total number of Debono scholarships now to 96.