Brayden Ottenbreit's Close Cuts for Cancer initiative started as a small event to support a young boy who had been diagnosed with cancer. In the time since, it has grown into a major head shaving event, and its influence has spread beyond Yorkton's city limits to the province as a whole.
Greg Ottenbreit says that this year's event has been another successful year, including head shaving events outside of the city. This year saw Saskatoon prison guards get involved in their own head shaving event.
"It's kind of bittersweet to see it successful every year, because it usually means more people getting touched with cancer, more people getting involved because they have a loved one or friend that has been touched. But it's really heartwarming to see the community come out and support the cause, both for research and for local cancer initiatives."
This year, 57 people took part in a shave, with about 35 people taking part in the Parkland Mall shave. Ottenbreit estimates that this year will be an average event, raising about $50,000. Over the years, the event has raised over $625,000 for research, and $100,000 for local initiatives, which goes to things like the chemotherapy outreach program, digital mammography, palliative care and things of that nature.
This year the event had a week-long lead-up to the event with The Rock's Breakfast Tour, which went to restaurants in Yorkton and Melville to raise money for local initiatives. Through that event, $3,500 was raised for local initiatives.
One of the participants was Jesse Kwasnicia, who donated his long locks to make wigs for cancer patients. He grew his hair out for two years, and he describes having it all gone as a shock but worth it.
"It's a personal way a person can give back to such a great cause. I think cancer has touched almost everybody in some way or form and it's such a simple way to make such a huge impact," Kwasnicia says.
He raised a hair under $1,500 for the cause, and he felt it was a great thing to get involved in.
"It's such an easy thing. You can grow your hair out, and they'll shave it off and give it to someone who needs it so much more than you, and it's such a simple thing a person can do," Kwasnicia says.
He says he hopes to continue supporting the event for years to come.
