The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge: From the virtual to the real world

MONTREAL, May 26, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the whole population of the province of Quebec will rally around the 13^th edition of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge, presented by Jean Coutu. Indeed, 1,600 participants will have their head shaved at one of the Challenge's 18 sites across the province to show their support for cancer-stricken children and their families.

Physical head meet electric razor
Launched on social networks in March, the campaign for the Challenge's thirteenth edition took a fantastic virtual course. "Thanks to the 100 public figures who took part in the online campaign, nearly 1.6 million people have heard of this very important Leucan fundraiser," says provincial spokesperson Dominic Paquet. Supporting this campaign he deems "essential" is very important to the stand-up comedian soon to be first-time dad. "I got my head shaved on the day of the launch to encourage people to take on the Challenge and to raise awareness about the vital role played by Leucan for cancer-stricken children and their families," he adds. Dominic will be at Marché Central today to cheer participants—some of which will take on the Challenge for the 6^th time; a true sign of generosity and solidarity.

$5 million: A target equal to Leucan's 35^th anniversary
What better way to celebrate a 35^th anniversary than to set an impressive fundraising target of $5 million? "The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge is the Association's largest fundraiser of the year. It is therefore very important to rally up everyone in our province to help us achieve our mission to make cancer-stricken children and their families believe in a brighter future. We feel privileged to be able to count on the support of thousands of people in Quebec," explains Sandro Di Cori, Executive Director of Leucan. Since the Challenge's creation in 2001, close to 60,000 people have put a price on their head to raise funds for Leucan.

Your head is worth more than you think: Take on the Challenge!
Use our hashtags to comment your experience! #Leucan #ShavedHeadChallenge

About Leucan
For 35 years, Leucan has been committed to helping cancer-stricken children and their families. In addition to its support to clinical research, the Association provides specific and personalized services to more than 3,600 families:  emotional assistance and support, financial assistance, referral services, massage therapy, hosting and support in hospital's playrooms, socio-recreational activities, an awareness program in school, end-of-life and bereavement follow-up, as well as the Leucan Information Centre. Apart from its head office in Montreal, Leucan has eight regional offices.

SOURCE: LEUCAN

For further information:

Anaïs Larose Bastien
Consultant, communication and marketing | Leucan
514 731-3696 ext. 208 | 514 717-5864
[e-mail]