Bid for 7 world records to raise cancer funds
A trio of local men will challenge seven world “jumping and throwing ” records on April 14, as part of a cancer-fighting fundraiser.
Just don’t ask them which records they’re trying to break.
“We are afraid someone will try and take the world records and beat them before we get the chance,” said one of the men, Colin Pischke, 29.
Pischke, along with Johann Schelesnak, 29, and Christopher Watson, 31, were approved in December of 2017 by Guinness World Records to attempt to beat seven records in the jumping and throwing category.
Guinness keeps hundreds of records in this category ranging from the longest peanut throw (37.92 metres, by the way) to highest jump on a pogo stick (3.378 metres.)
The trio’s goal is to beat seven chosen records, all while trying to raise $10,000 for Alberta Cancer Foundation. The attempts will occur at Notre Dame Collegiate School in High River.
“We are so grateful for partners like Colin, who find creative ways to support and create awareness for Albertans facing cancer,” said foundation spokeswoman Melanie Dekker.
“Thanks to community support like this, directed to cancer research, we are making incredible progress,” she said, citing examples that include increased survival rates for late-stage melanoma from 20 per cent to 60 per cent.
Pischke said he’s often participated in activities that raise awareness about cancer, including the CIBC Run For the Cure.
He has lost family members to cancer so these types of events are important to him.
“Being able to support the cancer foundation is very near and dear to my family,” said Pischke.
The men’s decision to remain tight-lipped on the records they hope to break is based on a previous experience they had.
Schelesnak and Pischke, who attended university together in 2013, had applied to beat the record of playing Bocce ball for 24 hours. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to secure a location before somebody else beat the record, making the new goal 42 hours.
Watson and Pischke have known each other for much of their lives, but recently reconnected over the similar goal of wanting to hold a world record.
At first, the quest was a personal goal, but it quickly developed into something more substantial when they decided to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Watson said he is grateful to be able to help a cause important to Pischke and his family.
“Supporting Colin and his family is all the inspiration I really need,” he said.
The trio has practised the skills needed for these records and are confident they can beat them.
“It wont be easy, but I think we can do it,” said Pischke. “The more challenging part is the $10,000 goal.”
People attending the event or wanting to donate can do so online at albertacancer.ca/recordsforresearch2018.
“The goal is to be able to achieve a world record,” said Pischke. “We want to attach something much bigger than ourselves to it.”