First edition of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge initiated by a volunteer: Mr. Serge Tremblay. Targeted primarily to the residents of Granby and the surrounding areas, the Challenge rallies 65 participants and raises $10,500.
The very first edition of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge is launched in 2001 by Mr. Serge Tremblay, a Leucan volunteer. Profoundly affected by the tremendous ordeal cancer-stricken children must face after a diagnosis, Mr. Tremblay rallied 65 people for his Challenge and raised $10,500 for the cause.
Now, some 20 years later, the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge is the most far-reaching event of its kind in the province, both in the number of participants and donations collected and in the number of simultaneous shaving sites. Since that first edition in 2001, more than 100,000 people have taken on the Challenge, raising $63 million for the cause and counting.
The money raised via the Challenge enabled Leucan to expand the services available to families
- Thanks to the Challenge, Leucan aligned its service offer and extended its reach across the province.
- The Challenge also made it possible to build a structure for regional teams. Today, every regional office includes a Family Services Agent available to support families locally through every stage of cancer.
- Since 2008, Leucan also provides financial assistance to all families, regardless of household income, and to childhood cancer survivors coping with significant sequelae from cancer treatments. This change to the Financial Assistance component was made possible thanks to the Challenge.
A Timeline of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge
The Challenge extends to the Laurentides and Montérégie regions. Éric Lucas becomes the first spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.
The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge grows again with five new regions holding shaving sites: Abitibi, Beauce, the Eastern Townships, Mauricie, and Outaouais. First provincial edition of the Challenge. Jean-Michel Anctil becomes the new spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.
Challenges are organized in Saguenay and Lanaudière for the first time. Sylvain Larocque becomes the new spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.
Montreal and Quebec City host their first editions of the Challenge. The number of participants triples to 5,100 people and the money raised doubles that of the previous year to reach $2.5 million. Leucan trademarks the French name of the Challenge: Défi têtes rasées Leucan. Antoine Bertrand becomes the new spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.
Jean-Marc Parent becomes the new spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.
Jean-Marc Parent and Michèle Barbara Pelletier become the co-spokespersons of the 5th provincial edition of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge. The Challenge wins the award for best philanthropic initiative at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Conference.
The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge reaches the milestone of 30,000 heads shaved since its first edition in 2001.
The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge celebrates its 10th anniversary. Annie Villeneuve becomes the new spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge. The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge reaches the milestone of 40,000 heads shaved since its first edition in 2001.
The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge reaches the milestone of 50,000 heads shaved since its first edition in 2001. Dominic Paquet becomes the new spokesperson of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.
Proxim becomes the presenting sponsor of the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge. The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge reaches the milestone of 75,000 heads shaved since its first edition in 2001.
The Leucan Shaved Head Challenge celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over 20 years, nearly 100 000 people have taken on the Challenge and raised more than $63 million. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Challenge and all participants who decided to take this remarkable action, Leucan hosts the biggest virtual gathering of shaved heads on May 31, 2020. The event begins in the afternoon with more than 350 individuals getting their heads shaved live on Zoom. This shave-o-thon is hosted by the team of Leucan who paired off people with fellow participants from across the province. Marie-Mai, Leucan’s godmother, and Dominic Paquet, spokesperson for the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge, also take part in this virtual gathering to cheer on participants and thank them for their wonderful gesture.