$220K in scholarships granted to dozens of pediatric cancer survivors

HOUSTON – Dozens of pediatric cancer survivors were presented with more than $220,000 in scholarships Tuesday, thanks to the Snowdrop Foundation.

The organization, started by local radio host Kevin Kline and his wife, Trish, back in 2006, raises money for cancer research and scholarships.

Recommended Videos



The 11th annual Snowdrop Foundation scholarship luncheon was held at the Downtown Aquarium in downtown Houston. 

In the event’s first year, three students received scholarships. This year, 75 students were awarded money to pursue their dreams. 

Many recipients have been inspired by their experience in hospitals to pursue a career in the medical field. Phillip “Bucky” Ribbeck, who is attending McGovern Medical School, is one of them.

“I saw very intimately the medical field and I got to know the inner workings and how things ran and how people are healed,” said Ribbeck. “I really got to understand a lot of what went on and I fell in love with it."

Ribbeck was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma when he was 17. He is now cancer-free and credits the Snowdrop Foundation with helping him cover the hefty expense of earning a medical degree.

Recipients of the Snowdrop Foundation scholarships have all faced cancer before the age 20. Over the event’s 11 years, the Klines say they have handed out a total of 464 scholarships, totaling $1,316,381.

You can find more information on the organization, its scholarship program and the variety of enjoyable fundraising events the group hosts every year on the Snowdrop Foundation website.