CAYUGA—Dressed head-to-toe in a bright red Santa suit, 70-year-old John Pack leapt from a plane at 12,000 feet over Cayuga on August 9, bringing both holiday cheer and an important message to the ground below. His skydive at Skydive Ontario wasn’t just for thrills; it was to raise money to support Pediatric Oncology Research at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
—Submitted photos.
Pack’s motivation came from a deeply personal place.
“My wife was diagnosed five years ago with liver cancer. They gave her seven months to live, and five years later she’s still here,” he said. “That has a lot to do with the advancement of cancer research. I’m not saying it’s a cure, but because people took time to invest in cancer research, she’s still here.”
He began imagining what it would be like for children to see Santa parachuting from the sky.
“As adults, we can deal with that call when the doctor says you have cancer. But if you’re a parent and your child gets that diagnosis – how do you tell them?” said Pack.
“I thought maybe for one day they could get away from hospital treatments and beds, come watch me drop, and just enjoy themselves. Kids should be out on playgrounds, not living their lives in hospitals.”
Pack had been skydiving twice before, taking his first leap at age 68.
“I’m a pilot, so being up in the air has always been a passion,” he said. “If I was younger, I’d take the course to do it solo, but I’m happy doing tandem jumps.”
For his Santa jump, Pack’s instructor played the part of an elf, strapped to his back as they soared through the sky.
Jeff King, owner of Skydive Ontario, said his team was “the sleigh and helpers that got Santa airborne,” and helped spread the word about the fundraiser.
The event drew friends, family, and curious onlookers, all eager to watch Santa Claus touch down in midsummer.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement, a feeling Pack says is part of what makes Skydive Ontario so special.
“They’re very professional at what they do. The atmosphere is exciting because everyone is there to have a great day,” said Pack.
Although Pack laughs that he’s not a professional Santa, his impressive beard and jolly demeanour have earned him the nickname.
Years ago, he played the role for residents at a seniors’ home in Midland, but this was the first time this Santa had traded a sleigh for a parachute.
In the end, Pack said, it’s not about the spectacle.
“This is not about me – it’s about trying to get donations for MacKids,” he said.
“If even one child can walk out of the hospital cancer-free, that’s what I hope for.”
