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WHO WE ARE
We are a group of women made up of breast cancer survivors and supporters who, through their non-profit society, work to raise breast cancer awareness. Our society is the Campbell River Dragonboat Society and our team is River Spirit. We support people who are living with this disease to live full and active lives through paddling and provide an emotional network of hope for each other, our friends, and our community.
Weather permitting we usually paddle together one evening and Saturday mornings each week between early spring and late fall. Preparing for a race, we practice an extra evening each week. We encourage each other to work hard, and improve our fitness level; many of us also work out in a gym, especially during the off-season.
We have many opportunities to participate in community events, increasing awareness of breast cancer, and raising money for the cause. Many of our members participate in or support Relay for Life, Run for the Cure, Cops for Cancer, charity golf tournaments, and other local events.
We are a registered society, with elected directors and committee chairs, which meets monthly. Each member pays modest annual dues, and is expected to help with fundraising to offset the cost of equipment, and travel to festivals. Each member is encouraged to contribute her talents to the group, and to learn new skills in the process.
As a team, we support each other both in the boat, and elsewhere. Having the common experience of breast cancer, we understand the challenges that present themselves with that diagnosis, and the importance of sharing information and friendship.
WHY THE DRAGON BOAT EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN LIVING WITH BREAST CANCER
In 1996, physiotherapist and breast cancer survivor Susan Harris and UBC professor Dr. Don Mackenzie a sports medicine physician and exercise physiologist teamed to conduct research on safe levels of exercise for women living with breast cancer concentrating on lymphedema. For women treated for breast cancer it was thought that repetitive upper-body exercise encouraged lymphedema.
Believing this to be a myth, they wanted to test the theory by following a special exercise and training program to prove that women could actually avoid lymphedema and enjoy active, full lives.
The result was dragon boat racing which requires strenuous repetitive upper body motion and it gave Dr McKenzie and Susan Harris the opportunity to work with a large group of women at one time.
“A Breast in a Boat” was born with Susan & teammates entering the Vancouver ALCAN dragon boat festival, one of the largest in North America as the 1st all women’s breast cancer survivor dragon boat team.
The team and races were carefully monitored proving Dr. McKenzie right. There were no new cases of lymphedema and no existing cases became worse.
The bottom line was that what started out as a local research project with 25 women back in 1996 has ended as an international success story.
For the full story see http://www.abreastinaboat.com/health.htm#exercise
It has inspired many survivors to form teams and today there are over 35 breast cancer teams across Canada.
In June of 2005 we joined 62 teams in celebrating the 10th anniversary of A Breast in a Boat. Over 1600 women from around the world attended. An experience we’ll never forget AND we came home with a silver medal.
CONTACT US
We invite any breast cancer survivor, regardless of age, gender or physical ability, to contact us for more information about membership in River Spirit.
Call President, Jean Wrohan at (250) 923-6314 or Membership, Liz Williams at (250) 923-6962
MISSION STATEMENT
- PROMOTE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.
- BRING A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE MANY THOUSANDS OF CAMPBELL RIVER CITIZENS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY CANCER. THROUGH OUR EXAMPLE WE WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS FACED WITH THE LIFE THREATENING DIAGNOSIS TO EMBRACE “LIFE, LOVE & LAUGHTER”.
- ENHANCE OUR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH THROUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVE TEAM SPORT OF DRAGON BOAT RACING
HISTORY
In March of 2003, a handful of Campbell River women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer had a vision. They were going to beat the odds to become survivors. After dealing with the ravages of chemotherapy/radiation, they decided to put their newfound energy behind paddles and promote awareness of the disease. Through major fundraising projects and incredible local generosity, On May 24th 2003 River Spirit were proud to say they owned their boat and trailer. It took just four months. They were generously provided free mooring at the Fresh Water Marina, allowing easy assess to the Campbell River estuary with its incredible beauty as a backdrop. The paddling is often challenging as the team paddles up river against strong currents and the tides entering Discovery Passage.
WHY WE PADDLE
Our dragon boat experience is helping our healing:
- it helps us regain control of our lives
- it shows our families and friends we can live our lives the way we choose
- it reminds us to make the most of every moment
- it creates a new state of wellness in each of us
- it demands the best of us both physically and mentally
- it helps us overcome the loneliness of cancer
- it creates a safety net in the event of a recurrence
- it gives us pride in our accomplishments
- it shows us we can undertake strenuous exercise without developing lymphedema
- it enables us to move on with our lives
- it creates a new balance in our lives
- it encourages us to share our experience with others