Above: Jump for the Rose supporters pose for the camera during Pinkfest. Photo by Daniel Angulo.
Jump for the Rose is a skydiving organization that raises funds to help breast cancer patients who don’t have insurance get help at The Rose, Houston’s largest and oldest non profit breast cancer facility. Jumper Marian Sparks started the charity after The Rose helped her when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had no insurance. She vowed to pay them back. (Of special note, several skydivers have since benefitted.) So far JFTR has raised over $303,000 for The Rose!
This spirit of giving continued at JFTR’s 13th Annual Pinkfest Boogie at Skydive Spaceland-Houston in Rosharon, Texas, October 22-23. The sky was clear, but the forecast said the wind would visit later in the day. Everyone got there early in the morning to get in a jump and sure enough, the loads were on wind hold by late morning. Attendees spent the downtime visiting, playing games and purchasing tickets for the two raffles JFTR offered.
Members of Jumpers Over Seventy attempted a new skydiving record and got very close, but the wind wouldn’t cooperate. Still, the group handed JFTR a fabulous donation as they do every year!
This year, Performance Designs gave Jump for the Rose a gift certificate for a custom canopy to raffle off. They sold 654 chances, and the perfect recipient—a Texas skydiver with only 26 jumps—won! Other great raffle sponsors were Cookie Helmets, Flysight, Para-Gear Equipment Company, Primary Rigging Services, Skydive Wings, Spaceland Pro Shop, United Parachute Technologies and Velocity Sports Equipment. Wawatography debuted their support of Jump for the Rose with their newly designed jersey by Option Studios. Option Studios also designed a beautiful jersey and T-shirts featuring JFTR’s fabulous new “Rosie” logo. Everyone was eager to get one of the new designs, and both sponsors will donate a portion of their sales to JFTR.
The JFTR Board of Directors, the National Charity League, Skydive Spaceland-Houston staff and dedicated volunteers worked hard to make the event a success. JFTR will make its annual check presentation to The Rose in December. JFTR’s next Pinkfest Boogie is scheduled for October 2023 at the same location. Those who would like to volunteer or wish to plan a fundraising event for JFTR at their own location may contact Sparks at marian@jumpfortherose.org. Additional information on the organization and how to donate is available at jumpfortherose.org.
Marian Sparks | D-29599
Baytown, Texas