Tribute to Lance Mackey

That guy in the big red coat with the huge hood of fur.

That guy became my hero on a dog sled, that guy became my inspiration throughout my cancer and that guy over the last few years became my friend and the person I’d turn to when I needed a chat.

That guy was Lance Mackey.

Lance was a four time Iditarod champion.

He was a cancer survivor.

He was a dad, husband, son , brother, friend and in my eyes Lance was the greatest dog musher of all time.

Lance’s fan base was global.

He had such a huge effect on many peoples lives.

He became an inspiration to people worldwide because no matter what life threw at him, he fought it and then moved on to the next challenge in life.

Lance messaged me last year to tell me his cancer had returned.

But it was a different kind of cancer.

I knew it was now time that I was a friend to him.

After the Iditarod of 2020, Lance made the decision to go to rehab.

I happily helped his partner, Jenne, raise money to make this possible.

The GoFundMe campaign raised over $12,000 USD

After rehab, Lance came home happier than he’d been in a long time.

That, however, was short lived, just a few months later, Jenne was sadly taken from him in a tragic four wheeler accident.

Even though I’d only chatted with Jenne through social media and email, I’d gotten to know what a wonderful lady she was.

So it goes without saying how hurt I was by this news.

Not for myself, but for Lance and their two young children Atigun and Lozen.

I once again set up a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $16,000 USD through my website, to raise money in Jenne’s memory for her children.

I also sent them and Lance gifts, which he was extremely grateful for.

Over the last few months, Lance became very ill, but it wasn’t until a week ago, that I knew exactly how ill he actually was.

Last Thursday, I was about to board a plane for the very first time.

I was terrified.

Whilst standing in the queue, I pulled out my phone and went on Facebook in the hope to distract myself.

However the firs post I saw was one by Jeff Deeter, which read RIP Lance Mackey.

I screamed out and froze.

My legs turned to jelly.

I wasn’t expecting it.

Lance was gone.

How could this be ?

I instantly thought of the fact that he hadn’t replied to my last message.

I scrolled down on my phone to see message after message all saying the same thing, with pictures of this wonderful man, who had impacted so many people’s lives.

A week on and it’s still surreal.

The connection Lance and I had was one like a musher shares with his lead dog, and any sled dog driver knows how special and rare that bond is.

I’m left feeling like my soul has been destroyed.

I feel I really need to do something, so after talking to Lance’s fiancee, Seane English, I once again will be raising funds for kennel and funeral costs and his children Atigun and Lozen.

If Lance touched your life in any way please give back by donating as much as you can.

You can also plant a tree in his memory, send flowers or add a memory to a special book which will be available to purchase by going HERE

Lance’s funeral will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022 2:00PM AK (11:00PM UK) at Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home 6901 E. Blue Lupine Drive Palmer, AK 99654

For anyone who cannot attend in person, you can attend virtually via Zoom Meeting ID: 833 3200 7986 Passcode: 333879

Lance Mackey gave his all in everything he did.

He was the kindest, most caring, funniest, dog loving guy on the planet.

Lance leaves his two babies now without a Mom or Dad.

Please keep them in your thoughts and give what you can to their fund.

Do this for Lance, because he gave his everything, but never asked for anything.
I love you whole heartedly, Lance Mackey

Faye Bailey
Northernwolf Sled Dogs