The second Calgary Stampede Shave for the Brave took place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Calgary Petroleum Club, and it will surely go down as one of the most powerful events we’ve ever experienced! As this amazing week draws to a close, the Stampede Shave has already raised over $43,000 for Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC)!
To kick off the event, team captain, alumni Shaver, and leader of the Stampede Shave initiative Sippy Chhina captivated the room with some inspiring words before handing the reins to beloved Calgarian media personality Dave Kelly to host the event. A special thanks to both Sippy and Dave for all of their amazing work!
In total, we had 11 spectacular Shavers take the stage and join YACC founder/executive director Geoff Eaton for the Stampede Shave festivities!
We wanted to send a special shout out to Ifeoma Nwulu and Tori Popowich for being the first women to Shave for the Brave at the Calgary Stampede! Ifeoma decided to get on board just two weeks prior to the event, while Tori and fellow Shaver Adam Lopes (who were both visiting from Ontario) found the Stampede Shave while researching their itinerary of things to do while in Calgary for the Stampede! Thank you SO MUCH for choosing to saddle up with us!
We are incredibly grateful for Graeme Ryder, CFO of the Calgary Stampede; Kai Thomas; and Anshul Narula, who is the husband and dedicated supporter of YACC community member and advocate Harjeet Kaur. Graeme, Kai, and Anshul were participants in the inaugural Stampede Shave in 2023, and they showed their dedication and bravery by taking part once again!
We also want to thank Dennis Agbegha, Ibrahim Mohamed, Robert Pound, and Russ Wortman for throwing their hats in the ring as first-time Stampede Shavers! We couldn’t have done it without you!
Last but certainly not least, we want to recognize Stuart O’Connor, First Vice-Chair of the Calgary Stampede, who enthusiastically joined our Stampede Shave team and rocketed up the fundraising chart. Stuart has raised a breathtaking amount of over $28,000 for YACC, and we can’t thank him enough for being such an integral part of the event!
In what was the most moving and inspiring portion of the morning, YACC community member and Calgarian Nisha Valckx joined Geoff to speak about her life before cancer, her professional pursuit of her CPA, her personal love of mountaineering, and where her life is now after years of recovering and healing from her cancer experience. Nisha brilliantly articulated the power of community, and the importance of peers while navigating life with, through, and beyond cancer.
Nisha’s message effectively reflects YACC’s mission, and is the reason why events like the Stampede Shave are so crucial to ensuring our support is here for when people need it the most!
An enormous THANK YOU and “YAHOO” to everyone who made the second Stampede Shave for the Brave such a success! We look forward to seeing you all again next year in Calgary!
