By Marlena Stokes, Student Writer, Campus Times

There will be students, faculty, staff and others.

They will include men, women and children.

All will be shaving their heads to raise money for cancer research.

All of the heads will be shaven beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16 on the campus of Campbellsville University in the Student Activity Center, 106 University Drive
Campbellsville, Ky. during the annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser.

St. Baldrick's is a foundation dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research through receiving donations, much of which comes from volunteers shaving heads for pledges.

The foundation has raised more than $258 million since its beginning.

The local event is sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA). Rebekah Mobley, vice president of SGA, said everyone is welcome to participate in the fundraiser by volunteering, making donations or shaving their head.

This year visitors can expect food for sale, a silent auction and head shaving.

You can participate even if you are unable to make it to the event on March 16. On Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m., SGA will have a cornhole tournament.

Teams can sign up and play for $5, with all proceeds going to the foundation.

Anyone can also pledge money for those shaving their heads.

“The cornhole tournament is a way to get people involved who are busy that Saturday,” Mobley said.

“Reaching out to students through the cornhole tournament will be a really good way to increase donations, as well as awareness.”

Mobley also will be asking local businesses for donations and items for the silent auction. She hopes that will also raise awareness about the event.

Anyone in the community including graduates, current students, faculty, staff, coaches, etc. are encouraged to donate and also have their heads shaved, Mobley said. Those who don't want to shave their heads, she said, can pledge money to those who are.

Rick Wilson, a member of team Media Madmen, is a CU graduate who will be having his head shaved for the 11th year. He stressed the importance of how the money donated could come from anywhere.

“If you take one time of buying a pizza and eat in the cafeteria that you are already paying for, that would help the cause,” Wilson said. “Something as simple as that can help generate money.”

Why shave your head?

“Solidarity for those who undergo cancer treatments and lose their hair,” said Stan McKinney, associate professor of journalism and a member of  Team Media Madmen, who also will be participating for his 11th time.

“It's a sign of support, because most cancer patients that have to go through chemo and everything, lose their hair,” Wilson said.

Participating is personal for many including McKinney.

“I participate to honor my mother who suffered from a rare form of cancer,” McKinney said. “I also participate to honor two cousins and my best friend who died from cancer. My mother-in-law also died from cancer.”

Once again there will be a team challenge.

The team that raises the most money will get to take home until next year a special plaque which lists the winners from each year and sports a bald Chia head.

People are welcome to sign up online and make donations that way, Mobley said, but cash and checks will also be accepted at the event.

Signing up online allows one to personally fundraise through their link. People are also welcome to show up to the event and shave their head.

The link to sign up online can be found at www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/1179/2019

Wilson said, “Everybody has to help. The only way we will find a cure is if people help, either by shaving, or just volunteering at the event.”

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,000 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.