Houston, TX [Oct. 3, 2017] – When avid Houston skydiver and instructor Marian Sparks was diagnosed with breast cancer, she did not know what to do. In a turn of events, she found The Rose, a leading Houston breast healthcare nonprofit dedicated to helping women receive access to quality breast healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay. After The Rose assigned Sparks a patient navigator to help guide her through treatment and found a way to cover the cost of her successful surgery, she decided to create Jump For The Rose(JFTR).
This year, Jump For The Rose ‘Pinkfest Boogie,’ an annual skydiving event and fundraiser benefiting The Rose, will take place October 7-8, 2017 at Skydive Spaceland (16111 Farm to Market 521, Rosharon, Texas 77583). The eighth annual event will feature two days of skydiving and organized jumping as participants raise funds to provide all women in need with access to breast health care. To date, JFTR has raised over $100,000 to be used toward The Rose’s annual programming.
“Jump For The Rose combines two things I am blessed to have in my life: Skydiving and The Rose,” said Sparks. “It’s my opportunity to give back to an organization that gave me support and guidance during my time of need. Our skydiving jumps take only a fraction of the courage women who are dealing with breast cancer have.”
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to skydive, participate in raffles, take part in interactive activities and enjoy food and drinks. On Saturday night, Lyn Gwen Murillo of Skydive Spaceland Deli will provide a delicious meal while guests listen to singer-songwriter Susan Hickman. Interactive activities will include the ever popular Chuck Akers, radio personality on Country Legends 97.1, and a flock of wing suiters organized by Mike Swearingen. There will also be Pink Bra jumps, where skydivers don breast cancer awareness themed regalia, and a pink AR-15 with Jump For The Rose’s logo built by Trinity Bay Tactical to honor those who have fought breast cancer.
Skydive Spaceland will donate $40 to Jump For The Rose for every tandem skydive purchased. Tickets for tandem are available to purchase here.
For volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, contact Marian Sparks at [email protected].
RSVP to the Facebook event here. For additional information or to schedule interviews, contact Mageida Sopon at [email protected] or 832-310-5124.
About Jump For The Rose
As a grassroots skydiving organization, Jump For The Rose is dedicated to raising funds for The Rose, a Houston-area breast cancer clinic. The clinic’s mission is to reduce deaths from breast cancer by providing screening, diagnostics, and access to treatment for all women regardless of their ability to pay. Their services covered screening and successful breast cancer treatments for Jump For The Rose’s founder, Marian Sparks.
To schedule a media interview with any member of our board, please contact Lis Harper at 281-846-5976 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided high quality breast healthcare to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians and offers advanced digital technology including 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic workups, biopsies and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for quality breast healthcare and access to care. The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients annually. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 43 counties in Southeast Texas.
