In 1996 Canadian Sports Medicine specialist Don McKenzie put together the first dragon boat team comprised of breast cancer survivors in Vancouver. He believed that the upper body activity would be beneficial to offset edema that often results from removal of lymph glands. Bringing survivors together would also provide an opportunity for support and camaraderie.
This weekend marked the 12th anniversary of the Dragon Boat Festival in Salmon Arm.
Arriving in time to participate in the "carnation toss",
we threw pink carnations into the lake
in remembrance of the women who have battled this disease.
My mother and one of my sisters have both been through
the diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer.
Survivors embrace on the boats.
No comments:
Post a Comment