The NorthBreast Passage Dragon Boat Society is hosting a presentation with a guest speaker that will share her experiences working at the BC Cancer clinic and volunteering at the BC Cancer Foundation.
The session will offer information about the current research trials and support available for breast cancer patients offered by Prince George’s BC Cancer Centre for the North.
The 32-member team is holding the presentation on April 18 at 7 p.m. at UHNBC.
After the presentation team members will welcome questions from women interested in trying out dragon boating in Prince George.
The team is a group of breast cancer survivors and supporters who believe that staying strong physically and mentally benefits themselves and the community.
Doris Delong is the society’s vice president who joined the team in 2012 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 when she was busy raising her young children.
“Knowing what it’s like to be part of a team and being expected to go to practice and events I delayed joining until I felt I had the time, which ended up being in 2012,” Delong said. “I joined because I was interested in having a group of ladies around me to extend my social network but also for support.”
Until 2017 the NorthBreast Passage Dragon Boat team consisted of only breast cancer survivors. At that time it was decided that supporters could be included as part of the team as well and changed their society’s constitution to reflect that.
Right now there are 32 active paddlers on the team and about half are survivors while others are supporters.
During a competition there are 20 paddlers in the boat, a drummer to keep the beat and a sterner who steers the boat.
“So it’s a big team, a big boat that’s 40 feet long and with a lot of people involved,” Delong said.
The team can only enjoy a short season on open water and they start practicing after the May long weekend twice a week on West Lake where the boat is stored.
Lately they have been attending the Penticton Dragon Boat Festival in September because that way they can practice for a few months before the big event.
“We hope that people who sign up to be part of the team will be able to attend the majority of practices that are held Wednesday and Sunday,” Delong said.
“Someone once asked me why I like to paddle and my instant, immediate answer was ‘because I like to sweat’ but other than that I just really enjoy paddling, the sights we see as we go, all the birds and the fish. Being part of the team is quite rewarding. It’s nice to have a fair number of friends and it’s a collection of like-minded women and sometimes that’s hard to find. I have found it to be a rewarding part of my life.”
To register for the event email northbp2016@outlook.com by Wednesday, April 17.
Please plan to arrive through the main entrance of the hospital by 6:45 pm, as doors are locked by 7 p.m. Medical masks are required (provided at the main entrance), and a team representative will be on hand to lead everyone to the meeting room. This is a free event.
