Are you afraid of the dark? public speaking? crowds? bugs? maybe FOMO (fear of missing out)? Whatever your fear, you’re invited to join in the Fearless Challenge. The Canadian Cancer Society has just launched this new online fundraiser that dares everyone to confront their own fears to help those living with cancer to do the same.
Money raised through the Fearless Challenge will fund more life-saving cancer research and help patients and their families through support services, ensuring that no one living with cancer has to face it alone.
Cancer is such a common disease, it touches everyone. No one is immune, no matter how famous they are. It’s for this reason that some of Canada’s best known celebrities and athletes are showing their support for the Fearless Challenge.
Shannon Tweed-Simmons, wife of Kiss singer Gene Simmons and star of W Network’s Shannon and Sophie, is using her name and profile to promote the Fearless Challenge. “So many people’s lives are touched by cancer,” says Tweed-Simmons. “It seems we all have family or friends who’ve had to face the fear that comes with the disease. My aunt and cousin both passed from cancer and I was quite nervous to be told I needed a biopsy as well. All went well with me so far I will stay vigilant. However that is not the case with a lot of women. I’m so pleased that I could be a part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Fearless Challenge so that I can do my part to make this disease less scary in the future.”
Tommy Mac, bassist for the Juno-award winning band Hedley, knows first-hand about fear related to the disease. Mac is a cancer survivor and he is using his name to promote the Fearless Challenge. “I think the Fearless Challenge is a new and exciting way to reframe the conversation around cancer,” says Mac. “It’s important that we look at fear, because it’s something that hasn’t really been touched upon before as a way of fundraising. Looking into the mind of a person who has faced their worst fear, ‘cancer’ is the most fearful terrible word out there, so I think it’s a new interesting way to re-examine things.”
As a wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts, Mike Bradwell isn’t afraid of much… except for heights. If Bradwell reaches his fundraising goal of $5,000 he will confront his fear by doing the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk. “My aunt had to face the fear of cancer, so when I was approached to participate in the Fearless Challenge I immediately wanted to donate my time to the fundraiser. It was important for me to do what I could to help the Canadian Cancer Society take the fear out of cancer.”
Other High-profile Canadians are also participating in the Fearless Challenge including:
- Jason Priestley, star of Beverly Hills 90210 and HBO Canada’s Call Me Fitz
- Jesse Palmer, Canadian sports commentator and former NFLer
- Natalie Brown, star of FX’s new series The Strain, who will face her fear of swimming in a cold dark lake
- Italia Ricci, star of ABC Spark’s new series Chasing Life and the film Don Jon, will face her fear of giving up control while she sits as a passenger as her boyfriend, Robbie Amell star of CTV’s The Flash, drives a racecar
- Jonathan Keltz, star of CTV’s Reign and Entourage, who will face his fear of spiders
So, can you face your fears and help those living with cancer do the same? Let’s do this!
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