20 Years Memento of International Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Paddling. "Our Stories"
In 1996 Dr. Don McKenzie initiated a Sports Medicine research project to explore whether intense upper body exercise was beneficial or risky for women undergoing breast cancer treatment following a cancer diagnosis. The outcome of this study showed the beneficial effects of exercise both in reducing lymphadema but also in creating a sense of purpose and wellbeing. The women from that study went on to form the first breast cancer dragon boat paddling team Abreast In A Boat. Now 20 years later there are over 200 teams and 150 of those teams are members of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers's Commission. The iBCPC promotes breast cancer survivorship dragon boat paddling internationally. This book shares the experiences of many of those teams who joined a 'paddling party' to celebrate this wonderful anniversary and shared their team experiences in this book.
In 1996 Dr. Don McKenzie initiated a Sports Medicine research project to explore whether intense upper body exercise was beneficial or risky for women undergoing breast cancer treatment following a cancer diagnosis. The outcome of this study showed the beneficial effects of exercise both in reducing lymphadema but also in creating a sense of purpose and wellbeing. The women from that study went on to form the first breast cancer dragon boat paddling team Abreast In A Boat. Now 20 years later there are over 200 teams and 150 of those teams are members of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers's Commission. The iBCPC promotes breast cancer survivorship dragon boat paddling internationally. This book shares the experiences of many of those teams who joined a 'paddling party' to celebrate this wonderful anniversary and shared their team experiences in this book.
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Prior Chest Nuts<br />
Arnprior, Ontario, Canada<br />
<strong>Our</strong> dragon boat journey began in the summer <strong>of</strong> <strong>20</strong>09, when planning began to establish a team in our<br />
local area. In early <strong>20</strong>10 we were granted startup money from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to cover<br />
boat, boat cover, trailer, PFDs, and paddles. We then found a home for our boat at White Lake Marina<br />
which donated docking and land space; we now call the Marina “<strong>Our</strong> Home”. The Chest Nuts hit the<br />
water in May <strong>of</strong> <strong>20</strong>10. We are proud to say that the Prior Chest Nuts is the first dragon boat team for<br />
breast cancer survivors in the Ottawa Valley and includes paddlers from Almonte, White Lake, Renfrew,<br />
Arnprior, and Pakenham area. We generally participate in 2 or 3 dragon boat festivals each year and<br />
race against our best time to the best <strong>of</strong> our ability...and always finish ''first in our lane''. During our<br />
<strong>of</strong>fseason we get together to do a bit <strong>of</strong> pool paddling and exercise.<br />
The boat trailer allows the Prior Chest Nuts to travel with our boat throughout the local area,<br />
participating in farmer’s markets, or local town festivals such as Arnprior’s White Pine Festival. We have<br />
participated in many local community events including the walk for Hospice in Renfrew, The Terry Fox<br />
Run/Walk and Cycle Event, White Pine Festival, White Lake Open House, and Campanale Homes BBQ,<br />
and the Santa Claus Parade. The participation includes some fundraising as well as awareness that there<br />
is life after all the treatments. A number <strong>of</strong> Team Members are also active in the Arnprior & District<br />
<strong>Breast</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong> Support Group. It is amazing the number <strong>of</strong> people you meet who have been affected one<br />
way or another by breast cancer, either themselves, a relative, friend or coworker….and it is so inspiring<br />
to see the advances that are made in treatment.<br />
As breast cancer survivors we each live our lives knowing that at any time we may have a recurrence. It<br />
was an awesome experience being able to participate in the <strong>International</strong> <strong>Breast</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong> Participatory<br />
Festival that took place in Sarasota in October <strong>20</strong>14 and we look forward to Florence, Italy in <strong>20</strong>18.<br />
To celebrate <strong>20</strong> years <strong>of</strong> breast cancer paddling we enjoyed a gorgeous morning ....c<strong>of</strong>fee and muffins to<br />
the music <strong>of</strong> “Take it Away”, we then took to the water, our boat decked out with our head and tail, and<br />
us wearing our Sarasota T-Shirts. We enjoyed being very vocal ...singing...chanting..cheering .....during<br />
our celebratory paddle... usually our coaches try and have us quiet and focused during<br />
practice...sometimes they even succeed! When we got hot, what better way to cool <strong>of</strong>f then with water<br />
guns, given that we were out in the middle <strong>of</strong> the lake....we were laughing so hard we were lucky we did<br />
not all end up in the water! The Prior Chest Nuts capped <strong>of</strong>f the day with a nice relaxing Team lunch.<br />
Email: priorchestnuts@hotmail.com<br />
Facebook: Prior Chestnuts<br />
Website: www.priorchestnuts.com
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