Parachute Jump to ‘go gold’ again for childhood cancer

After the Empire State Building, for the second year in a row, refused to light gold to commemorate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Coney Island Councilmember Mark Treyger has once again partnered with local organization Frankie’s Mission, ride owner Zamperla and families across the borough to illuminate the shorefront neighborhood’s iconic Parachute Jump on Friday, September 18.

“This is a small but important gesture by our community to show these families that they are not alone in their fight against childhood cancer,” said Treyger, who first pushed to light the Parachute Jump gold in September of 2014 as part of The Gold World Project, founded by New Hampshire resident Tony Stoddard, who lost his five-year-old son, Cole, to Neuroblastoma.

The Gold World Project, though well-received by landmarks like The Prudential Center, The Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls, has been snubbed by the New York City skyline star two years in a row now, despite the 103-story skyscraper’s willingness to light for such events as the Subway Series, the U.S. Open and even other causes like breast cancer awareness.

“It is so heartwarming to know that our community is a role model for the rest of the country in lighting gold,” said Bay Ridge resident and founder of Frankie’s Mission Camille Loccisano, whose son, Francesco, succumbed to childhood cancer just two weeks after his 17th birthday. “The Parachute Jump is a testament to that.”

“It was incredibly moving to see all of the support at last year’s lighting, and I look forward to joining residents and families from across Brooklyn on Friday as Coney Island’s iconic Parachute Jump once again ‘Goes Gold’ in support of childhood cancer,” said Treyger.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the base of the Parachute Jump, located alongside the Riegelmann Boardwalk near West 19th Street. The lighting will take place at 7:45 p.m. and be accompanied by a performance by Art’s House Dance, an appearance by the Brooklyn Cyclones’ Sandy the Seagull and other family-friendly activities.

For more information, contact Treyger’s office at 718-373-9673.