This August — Katelin, myself, and my mom have been given an opportunity that means more to us than words can ever explain: traveling to France to dragon boat race as breast cancer survivors!
We’ve been invited to the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC) Dragon Boat Festival, a global event held only once every few years. It brings together thousands of survivors from around the world, each with their own story, their own battle, and their own reason for showing up.
This festival isn’t about competition, it’s about healing. It’s about strength, resilience, and the kind of community that only exists between people who truly understand what it means to fight for your life. Dragon boat paddling has become a powerful part of that healing, helping survivors rebuild both physically and emotionally after everything they’ve endured.
In August 2026, over 4,500 survivors from 320+ teams across 37 countries will come together to celebrate life, share their stories, and remind each other that we are not alone.
What makes this even more special to us is that we get to experience it together, not just as best friends, but alongside my mom as well, who has walked this road too. Each of us has faced our own challenges, our own fears, and our own moments of uncertainty. And now, we get to stand side by side in a moment that represents hope, perseverance, and everything we’ve overcome.
As meaningful as this opportunity is, the cost of getting there is significant. We are raising funds to help cover travel expenses including flights, baggage, and other necessary costs to make this journey possible for the three of us. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to being able to stand on that dock in France together.
This is so much more than a trip to France. It’s a celebration of life. It’s proof of how far we’ve come. And it’s something we will carry in our hearts forever.
Thank you for being part of our story and helping make this dream possible. Your support means more than we can say, we truly couldn’t do this without you.
With love and gratitude,
Katelin, Abbey, and Michelle