Baring it (almost) all for a good cause: men raise money for prostate cancer research

Calgary men bared almost all Saturday to support prostate cancer research

A group of men almost bared it all on the streets of Inglewood in southeast Calgary on Saturday.

The weather was cold and snowy, but that did not stop dozens of men from stripping down to their underwear at the #nakedespy fundraiser.

It was all for a good cause, to support prostate cancer research and other men’s health causes.

CTV Calgary’s Camilla di Giuseppe emceed the event.

The owner of the espy Experience clothing store started this fundraiser a decade ago, when her father got prostate cancer.

“I went, what am I going to do? I’m just a little business,” says espy Experience owner Megan Szanik.

“I had a bunch of men’s wear in my little tiny store,” she says. “I said, okay, the first 30 guys that show up with a donation to the Prostate Cancer Centre, I’m going to give them clothes for free. Well, Camilla di Giuseppe from CTV and (Calgary philanthropist) W. Brett Wilson showed up that first year, and the whole thing went viral. Now this is number 10.”

Volunteers raised over $164,000 for this year’s event. Over the past decade, the total is more than $500,000.

Jesse Piteau took part in #nakedespy for the third time this year.

“There was probably only 40 people doing this event in the past. And this year, I think we’re somewhere around 75 to 100 participants,” he says. “So I think it’s got some traction, and it’s really grown.”

After a workout using hula hoops on the sidewalk in front of the clothing store, the men strutted their stuff, walking through Inglewood -- a very visual reminder, to raise awareness about their cause.