Sisters In Skydiving: Elizabeth Young’s Cancer Story

SISTERS IN SKYDIVING | Foundation for Womens CancerElizabeth Young, a cervical mesonephric adenocarcinoma survivor (a rare form of cervical cancer), isn’t afraid to jump for a cause close to her heart—no matter how high. Not only does she empower women to enter the sport of skydiving, she’s also committed to increasing awareness and raising funds to help eradicate gynecologic cancers.

Over Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-12, 2019, Elizabeth hosted the fourth annual Sisters in Skydiving (SIS) event in Whiteville, TN. All of the proceeds from this weekend-long event benefited the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC). The event raised $2,200 through a parachute raffle with prizes donated by Parachute Systems and the West TN Skydiving SIS Leading Ladies of Skydiving.

“This event is so special to me because it helps me support FWC and raise awareness for rare gynecological cancers, while also supporting female skydivers in a male-dominated sport,” wrote Elizabeth. “It gives me to opportunity to tie these passions of mine together.”

Due to the weather, no jumps were made over the weekend, but there were still plenty of activities:

  • Parachute packing seminar by Beau Riebe with Performance Designs and tips for closing the parachute container courtesy of Riley Marshall with United Parachute Technologies.
  • Canopy piloting course taught by world parachuting champions, Curt and Jeannie Bartholomew. The women’s course was the largest women-only course Jeannie had taught, with 14 women participating.
  • Hollywood-themed lip sync battle and dinner for approximately 60 people, with door prizes and a grand prize provided by LB Altimeters.

Fundraising events hosted by our supporters help FWC increase gynecologic cancer research funding, provide free patient-oriented education courses throughout the country and connect with thousands of people about gynecologic cancer prevention, symptoms and treatment options. We cannot do what we do without the creativity, generosity and dedication of supporters like Elizabeth and everyone else who fundraises on behalf of FWC or gives in other ways throughout the year.

Next year’s SIS weekend is scheduled for May 8-10, 2020. To learn more and stay up to date on West TN Skydiving SIS happenings, join their public Facebook group.