Close Cuts for Cancer kicks off 20th year

It’s the 20th anniversary of Brayden Ottenbreit’s Close Cuts for Cancer, and the annual head shaving event had its official kickoff on April 28. The 2017 event, taking place on May 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the Parkland Mall, will raise money for cancer research through the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
Greg and Leone Ottenbreit kicked off the annual event at Yorkton Hyundai, where they also unveiled this year’s Close Cuts Mobile, a Hyundai Tuscon supplied by Yorkton Hyundai. With the kickoff to the event, they want to sign people up.
“We need people shaving their heads, we need volunteers and we also need those people who donate... I would just encourage people to seek out those who are taking part,” Greg says.
Yorkton Hyundai’s involvement goes beyond the car. The dealership will donate $100 for every car sold in May to Close Cuts, explains Ron Kaban, dealer principal at Yorkton Hyundai, and they will also donate the same amount from cars sold at Kaban’s other dealerships in Whitewood and Moosomin. This year, the campaign became more personal for Kaban and his staff, he explains.
“I have a salesman that is battling cancer down there, so I thought it would be fitting to get them involved as well.”
This year will be a relatively quiet one for Close Cuts. Due to Greg’s ongoing treatment for colorectal cancer, they are unable to organize a month full of events as they have in the past. He will be undergoing surgery for the cancer on May 24, and as a result this will be the first time he is unable to participate in the Close Cuts event in person, though he plans to make an appearance through FaceTime or similar technology. Currently bouncing back from his first round of chemotherapy, Greg is optimistic about his remaining treatment.
“I’m looking at the outcomes of people going through the treatment, and they’re very good. I think my prognosis is very good, so I’m going to continue working as much as I can.”
Those interested in getting involved can visit them at cuts4cancer on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, call Leone at 306-621-5295 or email [email protected].