According to studies at the Centers for Disease Control, one in nine babies in Kentucky is born prematurely, which can lead to a host of medical issues. The Anderson family faced the challenge of their son Austin’s premature birth. But they found timely help thanks to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and the WHAS Crusade for Children.
Since 2014, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital has received $177,000 in Crusade grants. Those funds have given families confidence that there is healthcare available to allow premature babies like Austin to get a proper start in life.
The number of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum keeps growing. When Evan was diagnosed years ago, his family wasn’t certain what that meant. In Evan’s case, that sometimes meant aggressive behavior. The family now has hope thanks in part to the WHAS Crusade for Children and Jefferson County Public Schools’ Binet School.
With his progress using a communication device, Evan is beginning to attempt conversations, which is something his mother never dreamed could happen. Since 1961, Jefferson County Public Schools have received more than $10 million in Crusade grants to help students like Evan.
A first child brings lots of excitement but can also bring worry when young parents suddenly have to deal with the responsibility of being moms and dads. Matthew Ayala’s parents thought he was doing okay until he was diagnosed with autism. Once they got over the initial surprise they found help through the Adair County School system and the WHAS Crusade for Children.
Since 1995, Adair County Schools have received more than one million dollars in Crusade grants. Those funds have given students like Matthew a way to satisfy their curiosity and build their futures.
Tom & Alice Mobley attended the 2018 WHAS Crusade for Children Holiday Luncheon honoring the clergy who are panelists on Moral Side of The News and determine Crusade funding.
Watch a tribute video on our Facebook page, just click here.
Dr. Tommy Wayne Mobley, 70, of Bardstown, died December 2, 2019, at Flaget Memorial Hospital. A native of Harrodsburg, he is survived by his wife of 46 years, Alice Faye Mobley (nee Gordon); his daughter, Rachael Nickoson (Matt) Avon, IN; his son, Marcus Mobley, Bardstown; five grandsons, Justin & James Mobley, and Mathias, Levi, & Nehemiah Nickoson, Avon; one brother, James Steven Mobley (Hazel), Mt. Washington, many nieces and nephews, including Joe & John Mobley, Mt. Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, James I. & Anna Mae Mobley.
A graduate of Fern Creek High School, he received his baccalaureate at Cincinnati Christian University and his Master’s and Doctorate from Southern Theological Seminary. He also studied at Louisville Bible College and Kentucky Southern College (U of L).
A minister of the Gospel, he was currently serving his second term as President of LBC. He previously was Registrar and Professor of Christian Education at CCU and College of the Scriptures and a Garrett Fellow at SBTS. Church ministries in Kentucky include Shiloh Christian Church (Lawrenceburg), Fairdale Christian Church (Louisville), Elsmere Church of Christ (Erlanger), and Nelson Christian Church (Bardstown) as well as First Christian Church (Scottsburg, IN). Often holding dual ministries, he also held numerous interim ministries throughout Kentuckiana.
Chaplaincy was the third aspect of his ministry for 50 years. He became Chaplain of Fern Creek Fire Dept. after serving as a “School Boy Fireman.” He later served as a Chaplain with Jefferson Co. Police Dept., Covington Police Dept., Scottsburg Police Dept., Scott Co. Sheriff’s Office (Reserve Deputy Sheriff), Louisville Division of Police (Coordinator of Chaplains), and Bardstown Police Dept. Additionally, he was FBI Chaplain with the Louisville Division for over 25 years and a Chaplain with Flaget Memorial Hospital. A member of International Conference of Police Chaplains, he held their highest level of certification, was a Certified Instructor, and served on several committees. A co-author of the first textbook on Police Chaplaincy, he taught the first-ever college and seminary courses on Police Chaplaincy.
He was a panelist on “WHAS Moral Side of the News” TV and radio program over 30 years as well as on the “WHAS Crusade for Children” Ministerial Advisory Board. He was Prayer Chairman for both North American Christian Convention and the National Missionary Convention in 1986. He was recipient of the Louisville Mayor’s Outstanding Service Award and was named to FCHS Hall of Fame. He was involved in numerous other local and national organizations.
His funeral is 11am Friday at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road with burial in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation is 3-7pm Thursday and after 9am Friday until the time of the service.
Gabriel Forrest was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 20,000 babies. He has albinism. For Gabriel that means a lack of pigment in his skin and hair. It also affects his vision. Once the shock wore off, the family found help through agencies supported by the WHAS Crusade for Children, like Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS).
At VIPS, Gabriel gets special attention to properly prepare him for kindergarten with basic concepts of numbers, shapes and social interaction.
Since 1985, VIPS has received more than $2 million in Crusade funding. Those grants continue to guarantee that children like Gabriel have the resources they need to be successful.
Sometimes a child facing a diagnosis like cancer just needs a break from the fear and treatment. No one knows that better than 13-year-old Lana Dobson. Thanks to the WHAS Crusade for Children and the Kids Cancer Alliance, Lana and her friends are getting that break the Indian Summer Camp.
Lana says she will keep coming to Indian Summer Camp until she ages out at 18, and then she’ll come back as a counselor. This year the camp will host 200 children from Kentucky and southern Indiana. Since 2010 the Crusade has granted $120,000 to Indian Summer Camp. That funding has given hundreds of children like Lana the opportunity to be a kid and not a patient.
The WHAS Crusade for Children has inspired 4 generations of people across Kentuckiana to give children with special needs in Kentucky and southern Indiana every opportunity to fulfill their potential. In the case of one young man from the Natya Kendra Dance Academy, it inspired him to bring Bollywood to the Boogie Down Crew at Down Syndrome of Louisville.
Romith Paily and the Boogie Down Crew got together for a rehearsal.