The Annual Shad’s R&R Canadian aftermarket fundraiser exceeded its stretch goal of $6 million dollars in cumulative funds raised, a fitting milestone during it’s 50th annual event.

This year’s event brought in some 300 participants, a bona fide sellout in a year when the stretch goal of reaching $6 million in total contributions to Muscular Dystrophy Canada loomed so large. Muscular Dystrophy Canada has been the recipient of the fundraiser since event founder Fred Shaddick and a small group of friends decided to assuage their guilt over playing hooky for a day of golf– hence Shad’s Remorse & Regret– by turning their shame into an annual fundraiser with modest $1500 in the first edition, now the largest third-party contributor to MD Canada.

Emcee and chair of the event Brad Shaddick, son of founder Fred Shaddick and only recently retired from the aftermarket industry, welcomed all participants from Canada, many from the U.S., veteran contributors, and first timers alike.

Shaddick thanked the many organizations that increased their annual contributions to help the cause on the special occasion.

“The continued success of Shad’s for so many years is a testament to this industry and the connectivity among the people, even among competitors, that keep it going. Also, due to the continued efforts of the board and the many volunteers.

“And also because of its founder Fred Shaddick. I ’m sure he had no idea back in 1973 that all of us would be in this room today celebrating 50 years.”

As the best punctuation for the event, this year’s edition raised a record $270,000 for MD Canada, for a cumulative total exceeding $6 million.

And those financial contributions have had concrete results.

Participants heard from Stacey Lintern, CEO of MD Canada, and Danielle Campeau, medal-winning Paralympian athlete and ambassador for the cause.

“We have life changing therapies,” said Lintern. “This money has gone to research. We have newborn screening right now for the most fatal neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy. And as of today, it is no longer fatal. Every Canadian will be screened—and we are working with the United States as well–that they’ll receive a test and if it’s positive, they’ll receive a life-changing treatment in 17 days.”

Lintern presented Shaddick with a coveted King Charles III medal for his contributions—an honour he generously refused to accept as an individual, and only on behalf of the Shad’s board and all the participants who make it possible.

“You believe in hope. We believe in hope. And because of your leadership, funds raised through this event directly fuel the development of life changing treatments and therapies. Canadians today are living longer lives, better lives because of the breakthroughs of research.”

“We’ve heard time and time again that the rule is that no celebrities are allowed to be in the audience,” offered Campeau. “When I look out at you, I don’t see celebrities. I see heroes.

“My journey started at the age of two when I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Sports in our family makes things okay. So, my love for the water and my competitive drive and an incredibly supportive family is how I found my way to navigate this terrible diagnosis.

“My love for the water pushed me to be able to set goals and set dreams to become a paralympic athlete too. At the height of my career, I held eight world records and have the honour of winning 17 paralympic medals throughout my career. And to bring them back to our country and to share with other children and other people living with a neuromuscular disorder to just keep pushing. And all while I was living my life and setting goals and pushing through those painful, scary moments, Shad’s R&R was raising money.

“So, when I tell you I look out and I see heroes in the room, I need you to not just think it’s a fluff compliment. I need you to truly understand in 1987 when I was diagnosed, my parents were told, ‘Leave here today and go live your best life. We don’t know if she’ll walk. We don’t know how long she will live.’

“Let me share with you what the neuromuscular specialist told my husband and I when [son] Samson, who is six and [daughter] Morgan who is three, were diagnosed: ‘It is not, if there will be a treatment, it is when there will be a treatment. We know there will be a treatment.’

“You did that. A diagnosis that yes, is hard to carry and is so heavy and at times steals our joy was also gifted to us with so much hope because you came to a golf tournament, because you raised money. We heard Brad jokingly say over and over again, ‘a whopping $1,500.’ That little $1,500 means the world to us. A donation like $6 million is absolutely incredible.”

Reaching that goal also created an opportunity for Brad Shaddick to pass the torch to a new chair, Charlie Grant, CEO of Grant Brothers Sales.

In closing, Shaddick left attendees with a closing message:

“Please keep Shad’s on your list of budgeted expenses for next year. We need your support to keep adding to the cumulative total and moving the bar even higher. What I hope to hear one day is somebody comes up and says, Brad, we are gonna have to find a new charity. They found a cure.”

SAVE THE DATE

Shad’s R&R

Shad’s R&R 2026 edition will be held on Thursday June 11^th 2026. Stay tuned for details at ShadsRR.ca