By Matthew M. Billiot, student news writer, Office of University Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “I have witnessed firsthand how much a cancer diagnosis can rock a family's world,” Rebekah Mobley, a junior from Elizabethtown, Ky. and Campbellsville University Student Government (SGA) vice president, said. “Just thinking about families who are not as lucky as mine, breaks my heart.”

“St. Baldrick's is a way to honor kids and families who have had their world flipped upside down, but never stop fighting,” Mobley said. “They deserve as much support that can be given. I also believe that kids deserve to be kids.”

St. Baldrick's is a nonprofit organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research. The St. Baldrick's event is where people shave their heads and raise money that is donated to the organization. Campbellsville University's event raised $2,735 with more money coming in.

Mobley once again took charge of this year's St. Baldrick's in Campbellsville after Donna Wise retired from running the event in 2017.

There were 15 people who shaved their heads, Mobley said, “I am always going to think the event went well just because every dollar makes a difference at the end of the day.

“People got to support a cause that does so much. Whether it was monetarily or just by coming and hanging out, it was a blessing to me to get to see people support a cause that means a lot to me.”

Tyler Linton, a sophomore from Louisville, Ky, said, “I think it is really cool that even though my hair mattered a lot to me, it was nice to know that it mattered to someone else a lot more. For me, it has reinforced the things in life that matter the most.” Linton raised over $500 in less than a week, and raised the most money by an individual.

The Media Mad Men team of Stan McKinney, associate professor of journalism and lead instructor for the mass communication department, and Rick Wilson, a Campbellsville University alumnus, won the Chia pet trophy for most money donated by a team at $220.

Samantha Cox, from Campbellsville, Ky., was the only female who shaved her head this year. Cox said, “St. Baldrick's is good to raise awareness [for pediatric cancer]. My father has a coworker whose daughter had leukemia.

“She was going to lose her hair, and I have had family members die to cancer. I wanted to see that she had a female she could look up to since a lot of women do not shave their heads.”

This was Cox's third year shaving her head. Her father, Jason Cox from Campbellsville, has shaved for 11 years and her brother, Dirt Cox from Campbellsville, has shaved his head nine times.

The Wednesday prior to St. Baldrick's, Student Government held a cornhole tournament in the Student Activity Center which raised $85 for St. Baldrick's. Sam Kiser, a sophomore from Shelbyville, Ky., and Bret Crawford, a senior from Big Clifty, Ky., won the tournament. Each received a movie pass donated from Green River Cinema 6.

Local businesses such as Colton's Steak House, Family Video, Kroger, Yellow Rose & Co., and many others donated items for a silent auction. There was around $650 raised at the silent auction.

Camryn Snapp, a junior from Augusta, Ky., said “I shaved my head because, my best friend passed away from ovarian cancer at 18. I like to do anything in her memory and anything that raises awareness for cancer.” This was Snapp's second year shaving his head.

Mason Biggers, from Campbellsville, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016. He has been stable, but in January 2019, he relapsed. He has been going through treatment again. He was unable to shave his head due to an open sore on his head. His father, Derrick Biggers from Campbellsville, and his grandfather, Charles Biggers from Campbellsville, shaved their heads.

Tanner Wilson, SGA president from Glasgow, Ky., said, “We would like to thank everyone who came out, donated and shaved their heads. Thank you to all the local businesses who gave us items to auction off. Thank you to Rebekah Mobley who took charge of this event. Without her, Campbellsville would not have a St. Baldrick's anymore. We look forward to doing this again next year.”

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa, Calif., and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.