Nursing Instructor Becomes "BigWig" in Local Breast Cancer Campaign

Methodist College nursing instructor Shalonda "Lonnie" Knox is joining the fight against breast cancer by becoming a BigWig. Knox and nine local executives and community leaders, dubbed “BigWigs”, will be wearing bright pink wigs throughout the area, all to help local breast cancer patients in their community and support cutting-edge research to find the cures for breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen Central Illinois BigWigs are representatives in the fight against breast cancer as they fundraise a minimum of $5,000 each, with a campaign goal of $50,000. The BigWigs will have six weeks to fundraise and reach or exceed their goal as they compete against each other to be named the BiggestWig in central Illinois. This year’s fundraising campaign kicked off on Friday, May 14th and will conclude on Friday, June 25th.  The BiggestWig will be crowned on Saturday, June 26 at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard on during Revel In Red’s Performance.  Revel In Red will change it’s name for six weeks to Revel In Pink, as the band participates in BigWigs as a group. 

The fight against breast cancer is personal for Knox. "I am participating in the BigWig Campaign because I lost a dear friend Tammy Dudley Davis," she shares.  "I made a promise that as long as I have a voice, I would share her story. That was a promise made and promise kept.  I have lost several family members from breast cancer as well.  I feel that there are so many women who are impacted by breast cancer and when they are diagnosed with breast cancer, so are their friends and family. This is a journey that I believe no family should have to go through alone. So until we find a cure, I will remain a part of the fight to find one."

To support Knox in her campaign, visit her BigWig page.

Sponsors of the BigWig campaign include UnityPoint Health - Central Illinois, WEEK-TV25, and Salon Studios.