Brevard, Tusculum Baseball Join Forces to Fight Childhood Cancer

BREVARD, N.C. - Less than a week before the South Atlantic Conference weekend series between the Brevard College Tornados and the Tusculum Pioneers, the two teams have joined each other off the field in raising money for childhood cancer research as the duo are working with the St. Baldrick's Foundation "BaseBald" program.

BaseBald began in 2007 by the University of North Carolina baseball team as players and coaches rallied to help their then 18 year old teammate recently diagnosed with cancer, Chase Jones, by shaving their heads. Three years later, cancer-free, Jones organized BaseBald for the Cure at UNC, where players and coaches shaved their heads before a game to raised awareness and money for cancer research and treatment. The first initial drive raised $6,400, last year the program raised $15,000 more.

"BaseBald" is a St. Baldrick's program signifying the perfect combination of team spirit where baseball teams get bald in solidarity with kids fighting cancer to raise awareness and money for childhood cancer research.

Currently, 10 NCAA institutions are participating in BaseBald programs this spring, including UNC, Tulane, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, UNC Wilmington, Wright State, Illinois State, Georgia Tech and Tennessee, while Virginia Tech and Bryant participated in St. Baldrick's events this past fall.

Coach Matt McCay, a personal friend of Jones, brought the BaseBald program to Brevard College this spring and the Tornados and Pioneers are following in suit as the Tornados set down the goal of raising $4,500 before this weekend. For every $100 donated to St. Baldrick's, one Brevard baseball player will shave his head following the March 23rd baseball game. Tusculum also set a challenge to fundraise for this weekend with Pioneers players and coaches following suit.

For more information on the Brevard - Tusculum "BaseBald" event, whether you want to join in and shave your head, volunteer or donate to support the cause, click on the link below:

-Brevard College - St. Baldrick's Event/Donation Page

-Tusculum College - St. Baldrick's Event/Donation Page

-Learn more about St. Baldrick's "BaseBald" events

Be a hero for kids with cancer! The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Get involved and you'll be giving hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers.