What would you do after getting a cancer diagnosis and facing the possibility of your life becoming much shorter than you expected?

These breast cancer survivors are refining what life can look like after breast cancer - by saying YES to new opportunities and now working towards becoming international athletes in France this August.

Many of these women had zero athletic background or experience before they joined this dragon boat team, which is part of what makes this group even more extraordinary.

30 women. Age 28-77. Different breast cancer diagnosis, different walks of life, now together in one boat.

At every single practice, twice a week from May to September in Waterloo, Ontario, whether lifting the 750 lb boat into the water, getting organized to start paddling, or during the fiercely focused moments of mentally and physically digging deep to paddle together, in sync to surge across the water, there is a truly remarkable amount of determination, positive energy & laughter, resilience, empathy and encouraging one another.

There are not many places where breast cancer survivors can continue to meet long term for support about life after breast cancer treatment, and this team is one of them.

For many cancer survivors, support often ends when treatment concludes, but emotional and physical challenges continue (and new ones also begin). The Dragonflyers provide a space that is exceedingly rare: a long term community where survivors can connect, support one another, ask questions in a safe space, share experiences and setbacks, and celebrate milestones.

Where else can breast cancer survivors compare scars (literally - shirts up!) ask questions about experiences with medical procedures, get advice about mastectomy tattoos, or speak openly about their journeys with other women who have truly 'been there' and understand?

The Dragonflyers are a phenomenal team of women who have been fundraising for the last two years towards this opportunity to compete as internatnational athletes, and now they need YOUR help and support to get them to France.

Why Fundraising to Go to France?

This summer the Dragonflyers have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to paddle and compete at the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission in Aix-les-Bains, France for a truly unforgettable week (August 24-30, 2026).

There are 4,500+ breast cancer survivors on dragon boat teams from 25 countries all over the world, coming together for this special event.

In addition to the excitement of paddling in the races, this event is also an opportunity for 24 members of the Dragonflyers to live life to the fullest and celebrate being alive, attend internationally recognized health and education sessions facilitated by doctors & specialists, and feel 'normal' for a week while immersed in this larger global community of thousands of other breast cancer survivors.

Donate Today - "Help us live the lives we never dreamed were possible"

Show these women you believe in them.

Cheer on these resilient survivors who refuse to let cancer define their future, and help reinforce to this team and the world that survivorship needs to be celebrated.

Cancer has the ability to scare us all, but there is so much more to life than fear. Your donation is an investment in honour of those who, past and present, have struggled with breast cancer.

Although breast cancer affects 1 in 8 Canadian women, it does not have to define the rest of their lives. Every donation sends a powerful message of resilience and demonstrates the life-changing power of sports, friendship and hope.

Every dollar helps - truly.

With many people contributing just a few dollars each, this dream of paddling in France becomes possible. Whether you can give $5, $70, $200 or more "many hands make light work!" and we are sincerely grateful for your support.

Thus far the Dragonflyers have been fundraising since early 2025 through a variety of events (garage sales, silent auctions, Mother's Day Tea, bingo fundraisers, used jewelry sales and more) and have proudly raised over $15,000!

Now we are reaching out to you, our wider community on the internet to help the Dragonflyers live life beyond their wildest dreams.

You can rewrite and inspire the story of survivorship one paddle stroke at a time.

Donate today and be part of this amazing experience in France

We will share updates as we go so you can virtually come with us and have some 'behind the scenes' views of the races, the community, our travels, and fun moments along the way.

Thank you so much for supporting the Dragonflyers. We are truly grateful for your time and caring about our journey.

Sincerely,

Barb, Debbie, Daine, Donna, Erin, Hilda, Irene, Jean, Jeanette, JoAnn, Lilla, Linda, Lisa Marie, Madison, Nancy, Nat, Natalie, Robyn, Ramona, Sandra, Sarah, Sharon, Tami, Tanya, Tracey, Vicky, Wanda and our coaches Bronwyn and Mary.

PS - Please share this GoFundMe page and our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, to help get the word out about Dragon boating for other breast cancer survivors and what life can truly be like after breast cancer.

What Your Contributions Go Towards

More Background on Dragon Boating & the Dragonflyers Team

Dragon boating has become Canada's national sport for women diagnosed with breast cancer, thanks to the work by Dr. Don McKenzie, a professor in the Department of Sports Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. McKenzie's work successfully challenged the belief (which is still prevalent among some doctors today!) that breast cancer patients should avoid upper body exercise: dragon boating has been proven to help breast cancer patients heal and reduce the occurrence of lymphedema, build strength, improve range of motion, as well as support overall mental health.

The Dragonflyers breast cancer survivors dragon boat team began in 2014 and is based out of Waterloo, Canada as part of the Waterloo Paddling Club. The 30 members range in age from 25 to 70+ and live in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and surrounding areas.

The team started when a group of passionate student paddlers from the Univesity of Waterloo put out a call for Breast Cancer

survivors who might be interested in joining a "learn to paddle dragon boat" program. What was supposed to be a six week program has become 12 year legacy of racing, supporting each other, and cheering one another on in the boat and from afar.

The Dragonflyers participate in regattas (races) located in Ontario each year in the breast cancer paddle category.

Follow us on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/dragonflyersbcdragonboatteam/

https://www.instagram.com/dragonflyerbcs

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