Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer kicks off

If someone is wearing a mullet in 2018, there is probably a good reason behind it. They might be an actor, playing a part in a period production about the 1980s. They might make poor decisions when they go to their barber. Greg Ottenbreit might have the best reason of all. If someone asks about his unique hair, he can tell them about Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s got a lot of attention, it’s allowed me to talk a little bit more about Close Cuts this year, but I am looking forward to get it shaved off on the 26th.”

The annual head shaving event, now in its 21st year, will see a few different well known local locks separated from their owners. Along with Ottenbreit, Yorkton City Councillor Aaron Kienle will be parting ways with his trademark long mane. Those two, among others, will be at the Parkland Mall on May 26, shaving their heads to raise money for the Close Cuts for Cancer Local Initiatives Program.

The month of fundraising kicked off at Yorkton Hyundai, where dealer principal Ron Kaban presented Leone Ottenbreit with the Close Cuts Mobile, a 2018 Hyundai Kona which she will use as a mobile office for the month, with pledge forms available to anyone who sees her and wants to sign up. Their support goes beyond a car, as Yorkton Hyundai and Whitewood Dodge will be donating $100 from every new vehicle sold to Close Cuts. Last year, the promotion raised $15,000, and Kaban hopes they can do even better this year, though he says they’ll have to work hard. For him, like many people who support Close Cuts, it’s personal.

“We’re all affected by it. I lost my father to cancer, my sister has battled it twice, everybody seems to be affected by it, that’s why we got involved.”

This year the funds raised will go to the Health Foundation’s campaign for lab equipment to expedite blood tests, reducing wait times from a week to same day results.

“That’s quite a bit of the stress when you’re waiting or in the midst of a diagnosis, waiting to find out for sure what’s wrong. Just expediting those results will alleviate some of the pressure,” Greg said.

As for his current mane, Greg credits Leone for the inspiration, coming from his own desire to do something different after having to attend the 2017 event via FaceTime while dealing with his own cancer diagnosis.

“I heard her say maybe you should grow a mullet. She says she never did say that.”

To keep track of Close Cuts visit www.facebook.com/Cuts4Cancer.