His freshman year, Chase Jones was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He received treatment at the children’s unit at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Care Center alongside young children and even babies.
Three years after recovering from the brain tumor, Jones is running for Mr. UNC in hopes of reaching out to more people and expanding his charity project, UNC BaseBald for the Cure.
He is trying to raise awareness for children’s cancer and money for the children he once sat beside, he said.
“I just want to get the word out,” Jones said.
The first UNC BaseBald for the Cure was on April 11, 2010. It was organized by Jones and his teammates on the varsity baseball team, and was inspired by a similar event held in 2007 to support a coach’s son who had leukemia, Jones said. The event raised more than $6,000 for the pediatric oncology unit at UNC hospitals.
The proceeds will cover expenses ranging from gas money parents use to visit children at the hospital, to juice boxes for the young patients, Jones said.
Donors sponsored all of the players to shave their heads.
“It was an unbelievable event. I was so excited about it because I got to see what an impact we could make as students. We don’t often get to see that impact in a financial way,” Jones said.
Seth Baldwin, who is Jones’ campaign manager as well as his teammate and roommate, shaved his head as part of the fundraiser.
“It’s a big thing to shave your head. I felt awkward for a while,” he said.
Baldwin said he and Jones would like to get other athletic teams to participate in the event. Jones said this could give the fundraiser a more lasting presence on campus, and help it continue after he graduates.
