Yorkton's Close Cuts 4 Cancer holds 26th annual head shave
Compared to years prior, Brayden Ottenbreit’s Close Cuts 4 Cancer had a quiet year in 2023.
Six individuals participated in the annual head shave, but it was a strong showing for those who turned out.
Over $15,000 was raised for local cancer initiatives during the event, with other individuals participating remotely.
“We always get the kudos for this event and it truly is not about us. We put it together, but it's the community,” said co-founder Leone Ottenbreit.
“If the community wasn't here, supporting what we're doing, whether it be the head shaves itself, the car raffle that we're doing throughout the summer, or the barbecues or pancake breakfasts, it's really the community that builds and grows this event and we're just so thankful to all of the businesses that get involved, the donors, the volunteers, the participants. It's truly about everybody else.”
For the Ottenbreit family, the 2023 version of the head shave had a special meaning, for a new reason.
Leone said Greg’s brother, Grant, was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Greg is currently well into remission from his own battle with cancer, according to Leone.
She said the advancements she has seen since young Brayden’s battle, to Greg’s battle, to now Grant’s is truly remarkable.
“[Grant is] getting a treatment called immunotherapy, which is very different from what Greg and Brayden went through,” Leone said.
“The side effects are way less. It's still not a pleasant experience. But that just shows us why doing what we do is so important, because that's from cancer research — that wasn't even available seven years ago. It was starting to be talked about when Greg was diagnosed, but now it is a mainstream treatment. It's just very encouraging to see that.”
The Ottenbreit’s are also running a raffle for a one-of-a-kind car build, along with its regular initiatives such as community barbeques and pancake breakfasts throughout the summer, with all proceeds heading to the family’s multiple cancer initiatives.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.