Leap
of Faith: Cancer Survivors Sky-Diving
Team
from Alisha
Osteen, Leap of Faith, July 2003
Leap of Faith, a
Cancer Survivor World Record Skydiving Team!
We are a skydiving team consisting of all cancer survivors.
There are 30 people on our team, and over 200 years of remission
between the group. We just completed a skydiving demo at the
Lion's Camp in Kerrville for the Camp Discovery. We had a
wonderful time, and had the opportunity to meet some really
wonderful children. I am not sure who had more fun, our team or
the kids at the camp!
I am a cancer survivor myself. I was diagnosed with stomach
cancer in 2000 and cervical cancer in 2002. I have 10 months of
remission to date, and have a strong appreciation for life now
at 28 years old. I made my first skydive on November 30, 2000 (3
months out of remission with the stomach cancer) and fell in
love with the sport. In 2002, a man named Tony Albano ran a few
ads in some skydiving magazines calling all skydivers who had
survived cancer to come out to San Marcos, Texas for a group
jump. What started off as an interest transpired into something
none of us could have imagined. We set the first world record
for the biggest formation skydive composed of all cancer
survivors! It got huge media coverage and brought hope to so
many.
Our goal is to promote a positive outlook for those suffering
from cancer. Cancer is not a death sentence! We survived! Others
can survive! And, even though cancer is powerful, we are MORE
powerful! Cancer cannot stop us from obtaining our dreams and
our goals. Whether it's skydiving, swimming or being a movie
buff, cancer is doesn't have to be an obstacle.
Our team has become more driven than ever. We raised over $8,000
on our last event for bone marrow testing and brought massive
media coverage and hope to the greater Houston area. We have
dedicated our time, effort and lives to fulfilling the lives of
those that cancer has touched, children in particular.
If you have the need or the desire, I just wanted to let you
know that Leap of Faith is interested in coming to any camps you
may have in the future to put on a demo for the kids. We love
the interaction afterwards, and the kids are absolutely amazed
to see cancer survivors skydive into their camp and share the
joy of interaction with us. This team is about far more than
just skydiving. We are a way of life and a belief that cancer
cannot compare to the power that we possess inside each of us.
Leap of Faith was founded by Alisha Osteen and Tony Albano.
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