about brayden
The Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer head-shaving event began in Yorkton, Saskatchewan in the spring
of 1998, shortly after Brayden Ottenbreit was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called ganglioneuroblastoma
just a few months before his fourth birthday. In a desperate effort to comfort and support his son, Greg Ottenbreit
decided to shave his head so that Brayden would not feel so alone in the coming months when chemotherapy would leave
his young head bald.
In true Yorkton spirit, many other men came forward to offer their support by going bald as well. Realizing the opportunity to help others suffering from this disease, it was suggested that this act of compassion for Brayden be turned into a fund-raiser for cancer. That first year, 14 men volunteered to shave their heads and raise money for cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. Although Brayden was unable to attend that first fund-raiser due to low blood counts, he was ecstatic to participate the following year along with his dad Greg, his mom Leone and many other men, women and children.
Sadly, Brayden was again unable to participate the year after, having lost his battle with the disease in February of 2000, at the tender age of 5 and 3/4 years. As hard as it was to continue the fund-raiser without Brayden, the Ottenbreit family decided to carry on his legacy to offer hope and support to those people continuing to battle cancer.
In 2000, the event was renamed in Brayden's honour and over 125 people volunteered to shave their heads that year. Over the past 14 years, over $550,000 has been raised through this event for cancer research, as well as thousands raised for the Local Cancer Initiatives Program implemented in 2006 to aid those in the community of Yorkton who are living with cancer. Please join us in our fight to "make cancer history" by participating or volunteering with this annual event.
God bless you,
Greg, Leone, Katelin and Rayanne Ottenbreit
In Loving Memory of Brayden
15 May 1994 - 11 Feb 2000
In true Yorkton spirit, many other men came forward to offer their support by going bald as well. Realizing the opportunity to help others suffering from this disease, it was suggested that this act of compassion for Brayden be turned into a fund-raiser for cancer. That first year, 14 men volunteered to shave their heads and raise money for cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. Although Brayden was unable to attend that first fund-raiser due to low blood counts, he was ecstatic to participate the following year along with his dad Greg, his mom Leone and many other men, women and children.
Sadly, Brayden was again unable to participate the year after, having lost his battle with the disease in February of 2000, at the tender age of 5 and 3/4 years. As hard as it was to continue the fund-raiser without Brayden, the Ottenbreit family decided to carry on his legacy to offer hope and support to those people continuing to battle cancer.
In 2000, the event was renamed in Brayden's honour and over 125 people volunteered to shave their heads that year. Over the past 14 years, over $550,000 has been raised through this event for cancer research, as well as thousands raised for the Local Cancer Initiatives Program implemented in 2006 to aid those in the community of Yorkton who are living with cancer. Please join us in our fight to "make cancer history" by participating or volunteering with this annual event.
God bless you,
Greg, Leone, Katelin and Rayanne Ottenbreit
In Loving Memory of Brayden
15 May 1994 - 11 Feb 2000
