About Barbara - in her words
I was born in Germany in the year 1956. I started skydiving in 1996 and have made 2,600 skydives since then. I am also interested in traveling. I want to see as much of the world as possible before my time is up. I used to be a competative waterskier, but now it's mainly skydiving.
I have been on three JFTC's. I am also a two-time breast cancer survivor. I was first diagnosed in '92, had a lumpectomy and lymph node disection.
Had a regimen of chemo along with radiation. Eight years later I got cancer in the same breast. Oddly enough it was right after the 2000 JFTC.
I thought I was way past the point of worrying about a recurrence. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy,
and because of the radiation I had had in '92 I've been going through reconstruction hell for five years now. My scars have scars.
I can't even count the surgeries I've had. At least for now I'm cancer free.
I am very fotunate in that I have a great boyfriend who has been with me ever since my mastectomy.
The emotional pain is intense. The emphasis there is these days on breasts and breast augmentation
sickens me and makes me feel inferior at times. So I would like to do whatever I can to prevent this
happening to any woman. It's harder than you can imagine, and if I can prevent one other woman from
feeling the way I feel that would be great. So, obviously JFTC is very important to me.
Awareness is the key, as I've said in my previous bios. My grandmother had breast cancer as well,
but she died of colon cancer.
Participating in Jump For The Cause 2005 is important to me because A lot of people say there are causes
that are much worse, more important, and maybe there are, but they haven't had both their breasts cut off.
In some sickening way, breasts seem to define women. JFTC is a way to have fun doing the sport that is
part of my soul, to be around people I love, and to raise money for breast cancer for the City of Hope.
I saw their facilities in '03 when we gave them the check, and let me tell you, I was very impressed.
There are many people who work very hard to make this event happen. I feel we are so close, I truly
believe this, that in the very near future women will not have to go through what I've been through,
along with many, many other women. The advances are incredible. I believe that if I'd been
diagnosed today with breast cancer I would still have both my breasts or at least the reconstruction
would be different. The pain is horrible. The emotional pain is even worse.
So, please let's all get out there and do what we can to raise money and awarness.
In closing I would like to say Thank you for all those who support me, and all the women of JFTC.
You've all been wonderful, and "Men," in the skydiving community, it will be over soon...My heart goes
out to you all too. I'm sure it's a bit overwhelming to have all these women hitting you up for money.
We all appreciate it and love you all..
Blue Skies,
Barbara Duke