Muskegon Township fire department helped get ariel shots of the record breaking attempt with a ladder truck. Total length of the ribbon is 465.1 feet and it creates a 219.5 foot purple ribbon.
Amy Dykes and her two daughters, Corinn and Reagan, remembered the 2nd anniversary of husband and father, Bryan Dykes’ death from cancer in a unique manner Wednesday.
Reeths-Puffer High School’s soccer field was the site of an attempted world record for the longest awareness ribbon.
Dykes said she has always told her daughters they could accomplish anything they set out to do, but she never thought it would be a world record.
“My daughter (Corinn) wanted to break a world record, so we went through the book (Guinness Book of World Records) and the longest awareness ribbon record really struck home,” explained Amy Dykes, whose husband died of esophageal cancer two years ago Wednesday.
“To honor his memory, the girls decided to break a Guinness record, raise money and awareness for cancer research and prevention,” said Dykes in a statement.
The previous record was set in India, a 363.8 foot red ribbon in support of AIDS awareness. The created ribbon was 169.75 feet tall once it was laid in the ribbon shape.
Attempting to break the record was a six-foot by 465.1 foot purple ribbon that was sewn during the White Lake Relay for Life in May. It created a 219.5 foot ribbon.
“There was no one person responsible (for the sewing),” said Dykes. “There was such a big group of people helping the whole time.”
Throughout Relay for Life, and until supplies run out, t-shirts are being sold for $10 to support the effort and all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS), who partnered with the Dykes’ to increase the awareness of the event.
Information on t-shirts and the event can be found at the Facebook page “I’m going to help break a world record in Muskegon.”
“We contacted David Voss, the local ACS rep, when Corinn had the idea and he was fully supportive,” said Dykes.
Voss put his resources to work for the record breaking event by contacting media, cancer survivors, families and supporters to increase awareness of the event.
Before the record can be approved by Guinness, Amy must present a “proof packet” that details the record breaking attempt.
Included in the packet is pictures, media coverage, and an official validation from a surveyor.
Pictures were handled by Amy’s sister, Candice Young, who is a local photographer.
And, Muskegon County Surveyor Stephen Vallier was on hand to provide the official measurements.
The Muskegon Township fire department also supported the cause by providing a ladder truck to help with aerial photographs.
“We beat the old record by 100 feet, and raised $1,000 for the ACS so far,” said Dykes. “Now I have to get all the information to Guinness.”
