The 2010 Shave for the Brave is on, momentum is building across the country as Shavers sign-up to sacrifice their hair and raise cash for young adults with cancer.

Head Hunters are receiving their "Shave in a Box" as they register their school or office to host a Shave.

And Mane Mamas (who aren't necessarily moms) put their badges on daily and go to work promoting the coolest cancer fundraiser in Canada.

Trust us--when you Shave for the Brave you feel the cool, but we've got you covered with our iconic yellow Shave toque. By the way, the only way to get one of these babies is to shave or donate 10 inches of hair.

This event is Young Adult Cancer Canada's biggest fundraiser, roughly 50 per cent of our annual revenue comes in through this event. But it's not just about the cash: the Shave gives YACC an opportunity to raise awareness about our cause, about the unique issues young adults face when dealing with cancer and about our programs to help them deal. The Shave for the Brave is the fuel that is driving our growth as an organization.

Since 2006, we've had almost 3,000 Shavers participate, as young as three years old and as old as, well, we respect our elders. They are ladies and gents, guys and girls, firemen, teachers, students, cabinet ministers, the list goes on. 

Our sights are set high this year. We've got a inter-provincial school challenge lined up as we look for Canada's Bravest School, we're looking to hit the 1,500 Shaver mark and you won't believe the high-profile lady who's going bald in support of young adults with cancer!

You can shave for the brave wherever you are, or support one of our brave shavers. Hit shaveforthebrave.ca for all event info. Stop thinking. Start shaving! 

Always...
Live life. Love life.

Geoff

On September 3, 2008, I received an email from a young adult survivor who was still in treatment. Not an unusual occurrence for me. But despite treatment, this guy was making plans for an expedition that would see young adult survivors tackle an eight-day kayaking expedition. And he wanted to film it to make a documentary about the unique issues facing young adults with cancer. His name, Mikey Lang, and I thought he had an awesome idea!

Over the next few months we stayed in touch. Mikey and his wife Bonnie came to Survivor Conference 2008 in Alberta and we gave them a chance to pitch the expedition to our conference attendees. Our conversations continued, there was a formal request for major funding from YACC, which we were unable to provide at that time. It didn't stop him. In 2009, he established the non-profit Survive and Thrive Expeditions and along with many survivors from the 2008 conference delivered their first expedition.

They brought their cameras and Wrong Way to Hope will be released later this year.

Throughout the fall of last year, Mikey and I were in constant communication as he worked on the film and his business plan for Survive and Thrive. We had a great chat at the 2009 Survivor Conference and I think it was a huge step down the path we are following today.

We had another chat before the holidays and I explained that although YACC doesn't have the major funding he was looking for to help finish the film and take on even more expeditions in 2010, we do have other assets that can support our collective vision to help young adults with cancer. The Shave for the Brave is YACC's highest profile and most successful fundraiser. And I thought the cowboys and cowgirls in Alberta would love it.

Mikey agreed to join the YACC team and deliver the Shave for the Brave in Alberta.  The details of our partnership will take shape over the coming weeks and months. I know YACC has found a partner that will help bring our organization to the next level, raising more awareness, more funds, and of course helping more young adults with cancer across our country.

YACC's two strategic goals are to be national and sustainable. The first goal speaks to presence, influence, and impact. The second is about how we attain and sustain that presence, influence, and impact. For me the development of sustainable partnerships will be one of the key determinants of our success in the long run. 

I define a sustainable partnership as one in which everyone feels like they are winning, and that is definitely the case for YACC here.

Always...
Live life. Love life.

Geoff