Breast Cancer Survivor Says 'Thank You' to The Rose; Organizes Sky-High Fundraiser, Then Raises $11,000
Breast cancer survivor organizes a skydiving fundraiser to thank the non-profit organization that saved her life.
HOUSTON, TX, December 29, 2010
In 2008, Baytown resident Marian Sparks was diagnosed with breast cancer at The Rose, a non-profit breast cancer organization. That day, she told Dr. Dixie Melillo, Medical Director for The Rose, that she would find a way to re-pay the non-profit for saving her life. This year, Sparks made good on that promise.Sparks took her love for skydiving and organized a fundraising event for The Rose, the Houston-based nonprofit mammography organization that provides breast cancer screening and treatment to women who have no insurance or resources to pay for treatment. "When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was going through a rough time in my life," said Sparks. "I had just gone through a divorce and had no health insurance. I was terrified, but The Rose was there for me."
I knew I wanted to show my gratitude towards The Rose and Dr. Melillo, "The only way I could think of was through skydiving," she said.
And that is how Jump for the Rose came to be. Held last month, the two-day event raised more than $11,000 for The Rose.
"It only seemed right to combine the two things I am most blessed to have in my life - skydiving and the medical team at The Rose," Sparks said. She and dozens of other skydiving enthusiasts from Houston and around Texas participated. Sparks said Jump for The Rose will be an annual event and she is looking for ways to make next year's even even more spectacular.
For more information about Jump for the Rose and Marian Sparks, visit http://jumpfortherose.com. For more information about The Rose and how to make an appointment, visit http://www.therose.org or call (281) 484-4708.
The Rose is the Houston area's leading 501(c)(3) non-profit breast cancer organization providing mammography screening, diagnosis, access to treatment and support to all women regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, The Rose provided 27,837 screening and diagnostic procedures for those able to pay; 15,680 screening and diagnostic procedures at no charge to low income, uninsured women; 7,621 free patient navigation services to other treatment patients without insurance.