California, September 27: 181 female skydivers from 31 countries joined together on Sept 26 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time to set a new women’s formation skydiving world record and raise over $900,000 for the fight against breast cancer, the most in the event’s history.
The week-long event was organized to raise funds for City of Hope’s breast cancer research. Sponsored by Jump for the Cause (www.jumpforthecause.com), a sky diving nonprofit organization, the event was held at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center (www.skydiveperris.com) in Perris, California, September 21-27 to kick off October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Perris Valley Skydiving Center is the largest in North America providing 9 planes to lift the women to 17,000 ft. and create the new women’s world record formation skydive. Participants include breast and other cancer survivors, friends, family and supporters. Women from all walks of life with varied occupations and motivations worked together to be a part of this historic event and contributed to a cause that affects women worldwide.
Led by Kate Cooper-Jensen, one of the foremost skydivers in the world, Jump for the Cause was co-founded with Mallory Lewis, Lamb Chop’s sister, after her mother, legendary puppeteer Shari Lewis, lost her own battle with cancer in 1998. Events in 1999, 2002 and 2005 raised a combined total of over $1 million and broke the previous world records with 119 women in 1999, 131 women in 2002 and 151 in 2005.
“The dedication and passion these women bring to this event is inspiring,” said Lewis. “All national and religious differences have been put aside to fight the common enemy.
–Agencies