Dixie State College of Utah students, faculty and staff have joined together to raise money on behalf of their student body president, Brock Bybee, who is facing major surgery in the coming weeks.
The 23-year old Bybee, a senior from Roy, Utah, is set to undergo necessary brain surgery next month, soon after he dons his cap and gown in graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in Communication. Having suffered from epileptic seizures most of his life, he received the good news that he is a candidate to have surgery to help correct the problem. However, the bad news is that this operation is extremely expensive. What makes the matter worse for Bybee and his family, including his widowed mother and four younger sisters at home, is that they are uninsured.
Upon hearing the news, the Dixie State campus community sprung into action by creating the “’Buck’ets for Brock” campaign, in an effort to raise money to help defray some of the costs of procedure and recovery. The campaign is complete with buckets donated by Jones Paint & Glass that are spread throughout campus where students can drop a “buck” or more into the containers. In addition, a donation account has been established in Bybee’s name at Zion’s Bank, where people in St. George and across the state can donate to the cause at any Utah bank branch.
“I am almost speechless and very humbled by the amount of love and support my Dixie family has shown me,” Bybee said. “I feel truly blessed and I am very grateful to have such great friends, professors and administrators who have stood by me during my time at Dixie State.”
DSC faculty member Candace Mesa, along with the school’s director of student activities Donna Stafford and her assistant Paige Anderson, are spearheading the campaign. Collectively, the trio have seen the effects the seizures have had on Bybee during his two years serving in student government, but have also marveled at the way he continued to persevere and succeed academically while carrying on in his duties as a student leader.
“We feel confident that as his story is told, it will strike a chord with many who understand the financial and emotional strain it has put on Brock and his family,” Mesa said. “We want to help lift that burden, one drop in the bucket at a time.”
Meanwhile, Anderson praises Bybee’s courage and humility in publically dealing with his seizures during his time at Dixie. She is also quick to point out that the grace and support a number of his peers have shown him over the years has made it easier on him to continue pursuing his education. She adds that his love for Dixie State during his five years at the institution is now being paid forward as those that have seen the best and worst of times in his life are now rallying with love and support on his behalf.
“Brock has really put himself out there with his illness and it is touching to see his fellow students coming to his aid like they have,” Anderson said. “He really loves Dixie and his friends, and since we have started placing buckets around, it is clear to me that he is loved right back. This is the best way we can let Brock and his family know that when he goes to Salt Lake City for that surgery, we will all be with him for this journey.”
The campaign will continue over the next several weeks. In addition to the account established at Zions Bank, donations may be made by contacting DSC Director of Student Activities Donna Stafford at 435-652-7513.
