Congratulations to VBF Scholarship Recipient: Phillip Teixeira DaSilva!
Join us in congratulating 2019-20 VBF Scholarship Recipient, Phillip Teixeira DaSilva. Phillip was awarded the Frank Catalanotto Perseverance Scholarship.
“Thank you again for seeing something in me, my application, and my birthmark and for giving me this opportunity to further my relationship with a subject so close to my heart, figuratively and literally!” -Phillip Teixeira DaSilva
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
Honoring VBF Co-Chairs Frank and Barbara Catalanotto for their tireless efforts to raise awareness for vascular birthmarks and their ongoing support of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation.
Award Value: $1,000*
Academic Program: Undergraduate or Graduate
GPA Requirement: None
Open to students in any academic area who have demonstrated through their living with a vascular birthmark that they have both the “heart and hustle” qualities of life. Frank Catalanotto is a former Major League Baseball Player, the father of a child who had a vascular birthmark and was helped by VBF, and author of “Heart and Hustle,” a book chronicling his dream and journey to play in the big leagues. Frank’s story stresses the importance of persistence, tenacity, and perseverance for any child told that he or she is not good enough, was left behind, or was excluded from some team, club, or group.
ABOUT THE VBF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Through the VBF Scholarship Program, students who are living with a vascular birthmark, tumor, or related syndrome can receive financial assistance to pursue their educational goals. For the 2019-2020 academic year, six scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded. This year, we received a record number of applications and were unable to provide an award for each qualified applicant. Our 2020-21 Scholarship application process will open in January 2020 and we encourage anyone interested to apply for an award next year.