Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Teams

lh88

For anyone who is interested in getting stronger and improving your cardio fitness (my theory is the better the blood moves, the better you heal) give this a try.

There is an international network of breast cancer survivors who paddle and/or compete. It's fun, good for you, and can be a way to raise funds and have a great time getting healthier! I've been told, and there seems to be some research, that paddling can help prevent/help LE.

Backstory:  I started paddling 6 years ago. In 2007 I went to dragon boat camp (yes, it was camp for adults!) where I met a BC survivors team. Those women gave me such grief for not getting my yearly mammo (I'd only had 2; I'm 61 now) that I got one as soon as I got home. Sure enough, suspicious. Biopsy, lumpectomy and radiation, all arranged around my trying out for and being chosen for the Grand Master (over 50s) team going to Sydney Australia for the 2007 IDBF Dragon Boat World Championships. (USA came home the World Champions!)

March 2010:  I have a suspicious ultrasound, MRI with biopsy, DCIS again. I don't have surgery decisions/date yet. Finally got a May 6 consultation with a new BS (my hospital closed and BS left).

I am a certified DB coach and official; while I recover I plan to be coaching and acting as an official at races. 

If you are interested, contact me, or google "dragon boat, breast cancer teams" for more  information.

Here are the mission statements of 2 east coast teams:

Empire Dragon Boat Team (sponsored by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center)

We are women who have survived cancer.
We are here to gain strength that we thought would never be found again.
We are here to raise awareness and funds for all women.
We are here to learn from each other.
We are here to encourage other survivors to keep moving.
We are here to fight cancer.
Most importantly, we are here because of you. 

New York City:  http://empiredragonboat.com/home.cfm 

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Hope Afloat USA's® mission is to help survivors of breast cancer make positive emotional, spiritual, and physical changes in their lives through the ancient sport of Dragon Boat Racing. We encourage survivors, regardless of age or athletic ability, to "awaken the dragon within" by providing them with hope, support, camaraderie, and adventure.

Philadelphia:  http://www.hopeafloatusa.org/