Man Attempts World Record to Fight Cancer
Posted: June 26, 2008 05:23 PM PDT
Reporter: Bill Kotowski

Few people are able to say their name is in the Guinness Book of World Records. Even fewer can say they helped make a difference to get there.
A Utah man hopes to add his name to that list by riding a snowmobile around Bear Lake, Idaho.

Not many people use snow machines to get around Bear Lake in late June, but that is exactly what Jake Jensen plans to do and, in the process, set a world record.

Jake Jensen, riding for cancer: "We do it a few times a year just for fun. The first time we did it, we decided we wanted to do the world record. It's taken a couple years to get it all pushed through to make it official."

What separates Jake from other thrill seekers is that he's not doing it just to get his name in the Guinness Book of World Records. He's doing it to help someone he loves.

Jake Jensen: "My sister has breast cancer and she's fighting it right now. She just started chemotherapy, so we have a charity set up and we're just trying to raise money for that."

Jake decided to combine his love for extreme sports with his love for his sister by organizing an event to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.

Kami Jensen: "It just made my heart swell with love. It's for a great cause."

With a little fanfare, including a sky diving exhibition, Jensen was off to set a world record.

After a few engine problems, he came up short of the world record. But he says although he didn't quite make it around the lake, Thursday's event was still a success.

Jake Jensen: "Really we've exceeded on where we're at with that. We're just grateful for every dollar that we've got so far and for every dollar that just keeps coming in. Any little bit helps so we're just grateful."

Although Jake didn't get the world record today, he says he's not going to let it dampen his spirits. Jake and friends say it's back to the drawing board before coming back out in a couple weeks for another attempt at the record.

If you would like to help raise money for cancer research, the Relay for Life will be held in Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho on July 11 and12, 2008

article courtesy of KPVI Idaho