Auto123.com takes up the 2009 Shaved Head Challenge!

Laval, QC - Shaved heads have taken over our offices at Auto123.com! A dozen or so company employees voluntarily agreed to face the barber's razors as part of the 2009 Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.

Shaved heads have taken over our offices at Auto123.com!

"We all know someone who's battling cancer or who died of it," says Annie Lafrenière, who started this initiative at Auto123 after losing two young friends to cancer. "I can't just sit back and do nothing; otherwise, I'll go crazy!"

She had the idea to take up the challenge while watching a feature on Leucan. "Our cameraman Jean Matthieu Des Lierres whom I talked about it and, out of the blue, he said to me: 'If you do it, I'll do it too!'"

Over the last six years, more than 23,000 Quebecers from all over the province have participated in the annual fund-raising event that profits Leucan, an association dedicated to enhance the well-being, healing and recovery of children with cancer and ensure support for their families. Last year's record-breaking edition saw 7,300 people shave their heads and raise some $3.8 million in donations.

Small becomes big!
Annie and Jean Matthieu had small ambitions. "At best, we were looking to raise $500," she confesses. However, their decision to take up this unique challenge really motivated an unexpected number of donators. "Our parents, friends and work colleagues have been amazingly generous, so much so that we had to raise our initial goal multiple times during the three weeks leading up to the challenge," she says.

From $500, they took it to $1,000, then $2,000 and $5,000. They didn't stop there, however. Instead of just the two of them, there were no less than 10 participants from Auto123.com. And together they collected nearly $7,500! Interestingly, one of our newest employees who attended the head shaving was so moved that he decided to become the 10th participant.

"We all know someone who's battling cancer or who died of it," says Annie Lafrenière.