Close Cuts for Cancer raises over $20K

Brayden Ottenbreit’s Close Cuts for Cancer has been running for 20 years, with countless heads shaved to raise money for cancer research.

The event was founded to help Greg and Leone Ottenbreit’s son Brayden as he underwent cancer treatment. While he died 2000, the event did not, and it is now in its 20th year. This year, the event itself raised $23,923, though Leone expects that they will pass $25,000 over the next month.

“We’ve said from the get go that this event really isn’t really about us... Cancer affects so many lives, and we are just really blessed that the community does rally around someone like this.”

One of the people who put his head out there was Rick Bewcyk, who dyed his hair a shocking pink before getting it cut. His goal was to get people talking to him about Close Cuts, and hopefully get them to donate a bit of money as well.

“They ask, they approach you. I think people donated more, just for the shock value, I don’t know why it was.”

For him, the goal was to support people around him, whether it was family, friends or coworkers.

“My son’s a survivor. I’ve got friends who have passed, I have friends who are fighting – new and older. One of my coworkers is still fighting, Gary Nagy.”

Beyond money, hair was also donated. She says it’s amazing how many people donate hair, especially given the necessary restrictions – hair must be under 8” long, it must not be chemically treated, and it must be under five per cent grey.

This is the first year that Greg Ottenbreit was not able to attend in person, having undergone surgery for colorectal cancer this week. He did attend via FaceTime, however, and Leone says that they have a renewed dedication to the project.

“I know how much it bothered him that he couldn’t be here, but he said that one thing he wouldn’t do is interrupt his treatment plan in order to do other things that are going on in our life. Your health has to be number one.”

Events will continue into June. On June 17, Bernie’s Journey, a fundraising run, will start at the Fire Hall at 8:00 a.m. followed by a pancake breakfast. Yorkton Hyundai will also host a car show and barbecue on the same date.