Bear Necessities Organization Sponsors

Three-Mile Walk FundraiserYates Hair Science Group

Introduction Based in Chicago, Illinois, Yates Hair Science Group

specializes in surgical and non-surgical hair restoration services. Dedicated to giving back, particularly to its community, Yates Hair Science Group supports numerous local charitable organizations, one of which is Bear Necessities.

Founded in 1992 in Chicago, Bear Necessities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to pediatric cancer research and support. The organization is named after president and chief executive officer Kathleen A. Casey’s eight-year-old son, Barrett “Bear” Krupa, who died after fighting cancer for 5 and a half years. 

Bear Necessities Prior to his passing, Bear expressed concern for pediatric

cancer patients and their needs who are in the hospital.

Since the organization relies heavily on donations, it sponsors several fundraising events throughout the year. One event, A Walk for the Bear, took place in October of 2016 at Montrose Harbor. Families brought strollers and their leashed dogs to walk the three miles along the shores of Lake Michigan. More than 550 families took part in the walk. The first time the organization hosted A Walk for the Bear was in 2014, and the event raised $34,000. The following year it more than doubled that amount, generating $85,000.