Raw and Reflective calendar aims to create community conquering cancer

A copy of the Raw and Reflective 2025 Calendar on Mon. Sept. 16, 2024 (Dave Sullivan/CTV News Barrie).

It's a disease that has touched nearly every family in some way, and many directly impacted locally are taking a bold stand to help others.

On Monday evening, the Gilda's Club of Simcoe Muskoka unveiled the Raw & Reflective 2025 Fundraising calendar. Now in its sixth year, the calendar features the stories of 12 local individuals diagnosed with cancer at some point.

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All photos in the calendar are in black and white, with the models posing without any clothes as a way to let their guards down as they share their vulnerable scars, physical and emotional, acquired on their journey.

"[Monday] we are literally exposing the models in that they are raw, and the reflective part is their stories," said Sharon Smith, the founder of the initiative. "It's a little bit challenging and really interesting and thought provoking for somebody who is going through a journey themselves to be able to know that there's someone else out there who maybe has some words of comfort."

The idea inspired Smith after taking a flight with her husband. After asking two people across from her what they were celebrating, she was told they were rejoicing in a recent successful fundraiser for cancer. Those two people said the funds were raised through a naked calendar, an idea Smith immediately clung to making a reality in Simcoe County and Muskoka.

"I thought, well, what can I do? I can't do anything directly," Smith says. "But at least support is free, and we are very fortunate to have two of the Gilda's in Canada, and one is in Barrie."

Former CTV News Barrie Anchor Jayne Pritchard emceed Monday's launch of the 2025 edition of the calendar.

Those interested in purchasing a calendar can visit Connect Hair Studio, the Gilda's Club of Simcoe Muskoka in Barrie or online.