Nobody’s too young to Shave for the Brave
There have been Shave for the Brave participants as young as three-years-old; Tyler Hayley, the 10,000th Shaver, got involved when he was in Kinderstart; and kindergarteners regularly hop in the hot seat at School Shaves—but some people still have the idea that little kids are too small to understand what it means to Shave their heads in support of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC). YACC knows better.
Everyone can Shave for the Brave!
Over two-thirds of Shavers are students who take part with their schools. Shave for the Brave is a unique event that equalizes the student body while bringing everyone together, regardless of gender, group, club, team, or academic performance. It shines a spotlight on those who tend to stay on the sidelines, putting them in a position to hear their name chanted by a gymnasium filled with their classmates and live the life of a teen comedy protagonist, getting high fives as they walk through the halls. It empowers kids by showing them they can change lives, no matter how old they are. All funds raised during Shave for the Brave support digital, local, and national programs that help young adults live with, through, and beyond cancer in their late teens, 20s, and 30s—an age group that is near and dear to the hearts of many students. The young adults they help could be recent high school graduates, older siblings, or even their parents. And there is nothing more powerful than standing in a room filled with hundreds of people who are proud of what their school is doing and celebrating the effort because they know they worked together to make a big difference.
This six-year-old stepped up
Avery Bridge is a grade one student who’s done big things. Ask the first-grader if she’s too young to Shave for the Brave, and she’ll tell you “Nobody’s too young to do Shave for the Brave.” Inspired by last year’s event at her school, Mary Queen of Peace Elementary, she has been ready for a while. Her grandmother had cancer and her uncle, Gerald, is currently in treatment. Her interest in showing her support was sparked again when YACC’S executive director, Geoff Eaton, spoke to her class about Shave for the Brave recently. He said, “You guys made me a promise that if you ever saw a young adult dealing with cancer anywhere on the road ahead in your life, you’re going to say to them…” “…YACC’S got your back,” Avery responded. She understands that the money she raises will help young adults affected by cancer across Canada connect to a supportive peer network and access programs that will guide them as they cope with cancer. Along with her parents, she checked out videos on YACC’S Facebook page to learn a little more about the cause, and she has an awareness of what she has signed up to do—even if it took some convincing. Her mom, Kayla Carroll, says when Avery said she wanted to take part this year, her immediate answer was no. After sleeping on it, she told her daughter she could take part if she was sure she wanted to do it, sure she understood what she was doing, and sure she understood what she was doing it for. Avery says she heard the message almost every day, but she’s not nervous about being bald; the only thing she expected to feel when it was all done is “proud of myself.” “I remember last year she was really enthusiastic about it, and she’s mentioned it a couple of times since then. I kind of laughed it off, but she’s pretty serious about it,” said Kayla. She says even though she still was not 100 per cent on board with the idea, conversations with some friends encouraged her to choose to support her daughter’s initiative. “Even if she decided not to do it, at least I supported her, and I can tell she feels strongly about it.” “A lot of kids say they’ll Shave for the Brave, but when they follow through, you have to give them a high five for their persistence—and you have to give the parents a high five when they get out of the way and let their kids step up,” said Geoff. “Parents know their children the best, and they can tell if their child is serious and feels sincerely about it,” said Kayla. “Friends, family, coworkers might question why I’m letting her do it, but they don’t know Avery like I do. She’s very mature for her age, and if she wants to do something, she’s very vocal about it… Just support your kid, it’s all you can do, and hope for the best.” Avery set a $500 goal, but has now raised over $1,000 and is rocking her new hair cut like the little champion she is..
Host a Shave for the Brave!
YACC expects to add hundreds of bright yellow toques to our schools’ hallways before the 2018 Shave season wraps up later this spring. Is your school ready to step up? Get in touch with us at info@shaveforthebrave.ca to learn more about how your school can get involved!
Be a Shaver!
The 13th annual St. John’s Community Shave is coming up on Saturday, May 5 at the Avalon Mall! YACC is so grateful to everyone who has signed up already, and can’t wait to see old Shaver buddies, and to meet many new ones who decided THIS IS THE YEAR they’re going to change lives! Not registered yet? No problem! There are countless stories of people putting the rubber to the road and doing great things in a short period of time. $600 in a day? Got it. $5,000 in a week? It happened. But, every little bit TRULY helps. If eight people sign up and raise the $25 minimum, it will cover a day of accommodations for a young adult who will gain tips and tools to cope with cancer at Survivor Conference in June! If 10 people raise $50, we can pay for the ground transportation to bring 26 people to the Retreat Yourself venue in July! If 10 people raise $100, we can host a year’s worth of Localife activities in one of eight cities across Canada! YACC couldn’t have the backs of young adults affected by cancer if you didn’t have theirs. So, ARE YOU READY?! Register here: www.shaveforthebrave.ca/stjohns