Events

The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is proud to announce that the 2009 edition of the Shave to Save event, organized by Virgin Radio 96 (formerly Mix96), was once again an incredible success. For the 9^th consecutive year, this important partner of the Foundation brought its listeners together for the cause. During the campaign, held throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, from October 1^st to 30^th, the Virgin Radio 96 team did not run out of work, with 100 heads to shave and over $456,000 raised.

 When a group gathered at least $2,000 in donations, a team composed of a radio host and a stylist from the hair salon La Coupe (corner Peel and Sherbrooke in Montréal) headed to the workplace or a location chosen by the team to shave heads. “Virgin’s involvement is a natural fit; breast cancer is such an important cause to us. All of the station’s employees are proud to be able to contribute in their own way. Since the very first edition of the campaign in the fall of 2000, our listeners have donated over 3 million dollars to the Foundation,” says Mathew Wood, Director of Marketing and Promotions at Virgin Radio 96.

Some groups went the distance and raised impressive amounts.  For exemple, the team from Cromwell Management, along with their President George Gantcheff who went bald for the cause, raised $125,000.  Participants, as well as partners of this campaign, all have different reasons to take part in the activity. However, by contributing to the cause, they all agree that it is a fall event not to be missed. “Shave to Save is an important fundraising activity helping to support in a significant way research in the fight against this disease that touches more and more women,” says Catherine Latucca, of La Coupe, who collaborates to the event since its very beginning, and Daniel Thibaudeau, of the Diamond Taxi Association of Montreal, who is in charge of driving the stylists to the locations of shavings.

 The 2009 campaign ended under the banner of solidarity, as Virgin Radio 96 invited all its listeners to attend their morning show, broadcasted live from the Fairview Pointe-Claire shopping mall for the occasion. The heads of more brave participants were taken care of on this occasion. “It is very moving to see the smiles on these people’s faces as they take part in this most unusual experience,” mentions Suzanne LeBreux, Executive Director at the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. “Such an expression of courage leads us to believe that we are not alone in our battle. It is a wonderful way to end our very busy month of October! We want to thank our loyal partners for their admirable support through all these years.”