If you are a true fan of sled dogs then you will religiously watch the Iditarod annually.
If you watch the Iditarod annually you will know the name, Lance Mackey.
If you are new to sled dogs, and don’t know Lance, please take the time to read this article to the end.
Lance Mackey is a four time Iditarod champion, a four time Yukon Quest champion, a cancer survivor, an amazing family man and my idol.
We have all had a rough year in 2020. But for Lance it has been sheer hell.
After getting disqualified from the Iditarod this March, due to drug problem (Lance’s drug problem stemmed from a lifetime of personal problems and heart ache), Lance’s long time partner, 32 year old, Jennifer Smith set up a Fundraising page to help raise money to put Lance through rehab.
I helped Jennifer with UK donations and I am happy to say not long ago, Lance came out of rehab.
Lance and Jenne now had their whole lives ahead of them with their three young children.
The two babies, Atigun and Lozen are only four and two years old.
On Sunday the 4th October, Lance was devastated to find out that Jenne had been killed in an ATV accident. She was found dead by friends not far from Lance’s Comeback Kennel on an outer road. Jenne was underneath her vehicle that had flipped.
My heart is totally broken for Lance. He has been through so much this year already.
Lance’s friend and fellow Alaskan musher, Jeff Deeter of Black Spruce Dog Sledding has put out a statement recently, saying that villagers and people from Lance’s local community are all chipping in to do there bit to help to take care of the kids and do household chores etc.
With Lance living in Fairbanks, Alaska, there is obviously no way I could pop round to help, no matter how much I want to.
So instead I have decided to help raise much needed money for Lance through my website.
Just like earlier in the year, when I helped Jenne raise money for Lance, this time I am going to help Lance raise money in Jen’s memory.
So that he can use the money for living expenses, dog food or to put towards the funeral.
Lance’s friend, Jeff, also stated that Lance does need financial help. Lance definitely needs a break from the hell he has been through this year.
I am asking any sled dog lover, or fan of mushing to help me, to help Lance in this difficult time.
Lets all pull together and share our passion for this incredible breed, towards making this mans life a little bit easier.
Even if you can only afford as little as £1, every penny matters.
Ways to help
9 responses
I’m so sorry to hear about Jenne! I have been through heartbreak too and can relate to how you must be feeling. I will be praying for you and your kids. When it seems like its just too much, hug your kids then go out and hug your dogs. They may not understand but they all love you.
Hi guys,
I’m Neil from England, I just watched the documentary about Lance and his dad Dick called The Great Alone on Amazon Prime.
They are both 2 Amazing guys.
I googled Lance name for more information as I don’t know of him, only from watching the documentary …..what a fantastic guy, lovely person!
I don’t know much about the Iditarod Trail Race, I have seen two documentaries recently about it, it’s amazing race.
I feel so bad for Lance after his wife’s accident, and was wondering if their is anything I can do to help.
Neil from England.
Email: moc.liamg@5601ivoJnoB
Our thoughts are with u & your family Lance at this very sad times , Val & Kev from Scotland send all our love
Lance – You are and always will be our champ.
Sending up prayers for you and family.
we are so very sorry…our sincere condolences to you and your beautiful children, Jenne’s family and friends. rest in peace Jenne…many hugs from our family to yours.
My sympathy for you and her loved ones. Words can not express but I send love. There is a donation on your Go Fund Me Site from my family. Love always.
So sorry Lance. Ypu have lost some great ladies in your life recently. So much to bear. You are a champ though, even through it all. Many blessings moving forward. Hugs.
I am so so sorry Lance. For losing u Jenne ❤Bigg hugs from me and my dogteam from Norway . Take Care Lance ❤
My heart goes out to you and your family and pack family I understand what you are going thru and I’m going to tell you what I was told when I was diagnosed with cancer and had 3 boys depending on me. They was ages Michael 3,William 6, and Bo was 9. Their father was no help he was abusive and tried to kill me he did splinter my neck and I didn’t know it so over the yrs. it kept splintering and punctured my spinal cord so I was really down and a member of the church I attended then walked up and said if you think you got it bad ,then think twice there is always someone else worse than you so get on and pray and ask the lord to take your troubles and then thank him for the many blessings you have been blessed with. Then start one day at a time thanking god for your blessings and start fight and get yourself together If I can then you can and keep asking your sweet guardian angel Jenne to help you be strong and things will be tough but just when you think you can’t go on then think of this message and your loved ones and remember that god won’t give what you can’t handle I don’t know you but if I could hug you I would hangin there you got alot going for you.Leanita from Missouri