TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Bigger, bolder and balder: the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has officially launched the 2016 #NoHairSelfie fundraising campaign by extending its reach globally encouraging people worldwide to actually or virtually shave their heads on World Cancer Day, February 4, 2016.
Toronto's Luminato Artistic Director, Jorn Weisbrodt will be meeting the razor head on in honour of his late mother-in-law and legendary Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle. His husband, singer-songwriter and composer, Rufus Wainwright, will be wielding the razor at the Foundation's #NoHairSelfie press conference on February 4, 11:00 a.m., Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, 7th floor atrium.
"Kate was 63 - much too early to pass away," says Jorn Weisbrodt. This is why I am supporting the #NoHairSelfie Campaign of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation - to raise money for cancer research and treatment. How can it be that we cannot cure cancer; that our body can turn against us? We have to be able to get this disease under control and for me to shave my head to raise awareness and hopefully money is the least I can do.
"In honor of Kate and the person I love the most in this world, my husband Rufus, I will shave my head (actually he will shave my head) on February 4, the World Cancer Day."
The 2016 #NoHairSelfie movement has partnered with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), which is a non-governmental organization that exists to help the global health community accelerate the fight against cancer. This partnership resulted in the addition of South Africa and Israel to the fundraising roster.
"Globally, cancer is the leading cause of death," says Paul Alofs, President and CEO, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. "By rallying people around the world to raise funds, we can galvanize progress in cancer research. "This year alone, 15 million people will be diagnosed with cancer worldwide; in only 15 years, this number will skyrocket to 22 million. The need to support cancer research has never been more critical."
Last year, the #NoHairSelfie campaign's unique approach of offering a virtual shave option motivated more than 50,000 people to download the #NoHairSelfie app and share their virtual shave. The easy-to-use functionality led Apple to recognize this success by naming it one of 2015's best new apps. In addition, the Canadian Association of Marketing Professionals (CAMP) awarded The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation its Marketer of the Year Award in the Non-Profit category for the innovative digital campaign.
Since its launch on January 5, 2016, hair-ticipants have already put their heads on the line to fundraise and undergo the razor on February 4, World Cancer Day. Read their stories of inspiration here: http://www.nohairselfie.com/ca.
It's easy to participate in the #NoHairSelfie campaign:
The celebrity shavers will publicly have their curls clipped on February 4, 2016 at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at 11:00 a.m. EST. Some of the top FundRazors will have their tresses shorn at the "Celebrity Buzz-Off" taking place at the Steam Whistle Brewery at 6 p.m. To sign-up as a hair-ticipant or to sponsor someone, go to www.nohairselfie.com.
"People with cancer often lose their hair during treatment," says spokesperson and hair-ticipant Canadian magician David Ben. "By joining in the #NoHairSelfie campaign, I'm standing alongside those who are fighting cancer so they don't have to stand alone." For this former tax lawyer turned Canadian stage magician, the cause is personal: he lost his wife two years ago, his sister-in-law sixteen years ago, and his niece this past summer.
According to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, more than 40% of all Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 4 is expected to die from the disease.
B-roll available: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722451-cnw-vod
About #NoHairSelfie
The 2016 #NoHairSelfie campaign is a global, digital campaign attracting hair-ticipants worldwide who will actually or virtually shave their heads and post their selfies on social media on February 4 – World Cancer Day. This year alone, 15 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide; this number will reach 22 million by 2030. #NoHairSelfie aims to bring together cancer patients, survivors and those who love them for one common goal: to conquer cancer in our lifetime. www.nohairselfie.com
About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has achieved an international reputation as a global leader in the fight against cancer and delivering Personalized Cancer Medicine. The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. All are research hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. www.theprincessmargaret.ca
About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network is raising funds to lead the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, which includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. www.thepmcf.ca
Portrait Photography by Paul Alexander
SOURCE Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
Video with caption: "Video: 2016 #NoHairSelfie hair-ticipant David Ben wants to make cancer disappear. The former tax lawyer and now Canadian stage magician has lost his wife, sister-in-law and niece to this horrible disease.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLTuUDo7ZzIQsvfoRbhVYjjsjWnUjcPl9c&v=txW6fSbwYOU
Image with caption: "Hair today...Gone tomorrow! Hair-ticipant Madura Siva met the razor head on last year in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's #NoHairSelfie campaign. This year's buzz-off is February 4, 2016, World Cancer Day. (CNW Group/Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160114_C8275_PHOTO_EN_598143.jpg
Image with caption: "Hair today...Gone tomorrow! Hair-ticipant Madura Siva met the razor head on last year in support of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's #NoHairSelfie campaign. This year's buzz-off is February 4, 2016, World Cancer Day. (CNW Group/Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160114_C2285_PHOTO_EN_598912.jpg
Video with caption: "B-Roll Video: Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation #NOHAIRSELFIE Campaign". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20160114_C8275_VIDEO_EN_598297.mp4&posterurl=http%3a%2f%2fphotos.newswire.ca%2fimages%2f20160114_C8275_PHOTO_EN_598297.jpg&order=4&jdd=20160114&cnum=C2285
Elissa Freeman, For the #NoHairSelfie Campaign, 416.565.5605; Diane Hargrave, For the #NoHairSelfie Campaign, 416.467.9954 x104; Kevin Shea, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, 416-946-2898
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