Shave for the Brave News

NEWS RELEASE: Shave for the Brave 2010 the Biggest and Baldest Yet!

Posted on Mar 17, 2010

March 17, 2010, St. John’s - The 5th Annual Shave for the Brave in support of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) is breaking records this year with events around the province, and for the first time ever, across the country.  With a renewed national approach, YACC’s major annual fund-raiser has seen Shave events occur in five communities, eight schools, and seven offices across the country so far this year, with more yet to come.

This year has been a year of many firsts for Shave for the Brave. From a new and improved website, to the creation of some key roles for Shave supporters, i.e. Head Hunters and Mane Mamas, to an inter-provincial School Shave Challenge - in 2010 things are ever growing for YACC.

“We decided to step it up a level this year,” said Geoff Eaton, Executive Director of YACC.” We decided to find appealing ways for more people to get involved without loosing their locks. With the new roles, people can simply come on board to support the cause by spreading the word about the shave or by taking the lead and arranging a shave within their own workplace or community. Every person can play a role and we are finding more ways to help get them involved.”

On March 5, YACC premiered its first ever “Skype Shave-Off”. During the event, Mount Pearl Intermediate (Mount Pearl, NL) and Glenmore Christian Academy (Calgary, AB) hosted simultaneous Shaves via Skype video call, shaving 142 heads and raising more than $31,000.

Eaton was delighted to have national events this year and expressed his thanks to both schools and communities for their combined efforts. “These events push our Shave to a national level,” he said. “I am delighted to see new and innovative ways to get our important message out across the country. The efforts of all participants are to be commended; every penny raised allows us to provide supportive services to young adults with cancer in Canada.”

Accompanying the main community event in St. John’s, which saw 351 heads shaved and more than $101,000 raised, Calgary hosted the first Alberta Community Shave at Southcentre Mall resulting in a total of 25 bald heads and over $5000 raised for the cause.

Eaton is proud to say that the Shave for the Brave is the biggest and bravest it has ever been.  “With Shaves from Calgary, AB to Sheaves Cove, NL, YACC is already tipping the scales with a total of 820 heads shaved and $250,000 raised for young adults with cancer, and that is a tremendous accomplishment,” he said. “Of course, our success would not be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors. A heartfelt thanks to our main supporting sponsors, Bell Aliant and Hits FM, who once again jumped on board to back our cause.”

Bell Aliant has been a key sponsor for the Shave for the Brave for a number of years now. June Turpin, Regional Director of xwave, a division of Bell Aliant, is proud to support YACC and believes it is the passion of the people involved that makes the Shave for the Brave a continued success. “It is obvious from the success of this year’s event, that people are truly passionate about the Shave for the Brave and Young Adult Cancer Canada”, said Turpin. “Bell Aliant is extremely proud to be associated with the event and all that Young Adult Cancer Canada stands for.”

Shave events still to come include: The Telegram, Holy Cross Elementary, Mount Pearl Senior High, Sheridan Institute of Technology (Ontario), Kara’s Urban Day Spa (Halifax), Marystown Central High, and Gander Mall. Communities, schools, offices and any other interested groups can still sign up to be a Head Hunter and host a Shave until the end of April, 2010.  For more information, visit shaveforthebrave.ca.

Media Contacts:

Geoff Eaton, Executive Director, Young Adult Cancer Canada
709-579-7325, 709-685-4668
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mark Duggan
Bell Aliant Public Affairs
709-687-3136
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

So far the Telegram has picked up the news release. Check it out!