Houston, TX [October 7, 2018]– From high tea to high heel races, motorcycle rides to marathons, and tournaments to theater, Breast Cancer Awareness Month events take many forms for The Rose. Perhaps one of the most adrenaline-producing fundraisers happens each year as skydivers Jump For The Rose (JFTR). Now in its 9th year, the annual two-day Pinkfest Boogie is scheduled for October 13-14 at Skydive Spaceland Houston (16111 Farm to Market 521, Rosharon, Texas 77583) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To date, JFTR has raised over $157,000 to be used toward The Rose’s annual programming.
Participants can skydive, take observer airplane rides, try their luck at raffles, enjoy food from Landing Point Café, hear from singer/songwriter Susan Hickman or just look up and enjoy the sight of skydiving enthusiasts at their best. The nontraditional fundraiser is the result of JFTR founder Marian Sparks’ breast cancer diagnosis when she was newly divorced, self-employed at two jobs, reeling from the loss of her home due to Hurricane Ike and uninsured.
Initially surprised and then overwhelmingly grateful for the comfort and guidance she received from The Rose, the nonprofit breast healthcare organization with a 30-plus year history of ensuring quality care for all, Sparks decided to do something for the organization in return . She promised she would find a way to ensure that the peace of mind The Rose had given her would continue to be available to others.
“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.”
Plans for this year include Jumpers Over Seventy, organized by Joseph L. Taylor, going after a Texas skydiving record. There will also be Pink Bra jumps scheduled throughout the weekend where skydivers don breast cancer awareness themed regalia. Chuck Akers, radio personality on Country Legends 97.1, will once again lend his talent to the event, while famed aerial photographer Norman Kent will capture in-air highlights.
As an added fundraising bonus, Moore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Silsbee has donated a 2016 Jeep Patriot to JFTR to serve as a raffle item. Tickets on sale for $100 each are available at Moore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Skydive Spaceland Houston, Skydive Spaceland Dallas and both the Galleria and Pasadena locations of The Rose. Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold. For more information on the Jeep Raffle click here. The winning ticket will be drawn at 4 p.m. on October 14.
Skydive Spaceland Houston will donate $40 to Jump For The Rose for every tandem skydive purchased that weekend. To reserve a tandem jump, click here and mention JFTR.
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.
