As we were waiting for our Aquabus pickup I was watching a dragon Boat filled with ladies of all ages, maneuvering their boat in the strong current. It reminded me of Abreast in a boat, a special team of Breast Cancer survivors.
In 1996 Dr Don Mc Kenzie of University of British Columbia began a study to dispel a myth associated with breast cancer survivors and exercise. Until then caution was taken by avoiding any strenuous physical upper arm exercise in order to avoid a condition called lymphedema. Dr. Don saw dragon boating as the ideal sport to introduce to survivors. This exercise involves the strenuous and repetitive motion of the trunk and arm muscles. It is a safe sport as it is non weight-bearing. He recognized that this could bring women together in their shared experience. As a result of this research, breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams have developed globally.
We will be away during the Festival but I will be cheering for my favourite team - all the survivors and the ladies in pink.
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