Monday, September 28, 2009

 Largest all-female skydiving formation-world record set by 181 skydivers

  PERRIS, Calif., USA -- 181 female skydivers from 31 countries joined together and set the new world record for the Largest all-female skydiving formation , raising over 900-thousand dollars to fight breast cancer for the fight against breast cancer, the most in the event's history.

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   Collectively participants have raised over $900,000, which will go to the City of Hope, a cancer foundation based in Los Angeles County, organizers said. That's the most money raised in the event's history which puts the money towards research. Participants in the dive included breast and other cancer survivors.   

    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.

Note: to be updated with the names of participants

   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, breast cancer!”