BREAST OF TEXAS
100% OF PROCEEDS EXCLUSIVELY BENEFIT THE BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR DRAGON BOAT TEAM
About Us
Welcome to the Breast of Texas Dragon Boat Team!
The Breast of Texas Dragon Boat Team is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; whose mission is to empower breast cancer survivors through the sport of dragon boating. Teammates find strength and quality of life by paddling together while having the common thread of a breast cancer diagnosis. We welcome all men and women who have battled or are in the process of battling breast cancer. No experience is required!
We practice from March to November once a week on beautiful Grapevine Lake at the Silver Lake Marina. We also compete in dragon boat festivals/races throughout the season. We are a living symbol of hope and a vivid demonstration that there is life after diagnosis!
JOIN US!
Breast of Texas practices most Saturday mornings from March to November on beautiful Grapevine Lake in Grapevine, Texas. During the hotter months we try to practice earlier in order to miss the hottest parts of the day. Likewise, when it is cooler, we practice later and practice is usually 11/2 hours long with most of that time being on the water. Paddles and life jackets (“PFD”) are provided. All you have to bring is yourself and a bottle of water. All levels of physical activity are encouraged to participate.
CONTACT US:
BreastOfTexasDragonBoat@gmail.com
Follow Us On Social Media!
OUR COMMUNITY
Board Members
Susan Piland, President
Karla Gross, Treasurer
Kina McMillian Allen, Secretary
Cheryl Kennedy, Team Captain
WHY DRAGON BOATING FOR
BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS?
In the past, medical advice suggested that women who had breast surgery should limit physical activities, particularly repetitive upper body movements such as cross-country skiing and canoeing. It was believed that those types of exercise would cause or aggravate lymphedema, a painful and incapacitating swelling of the arm and/or chest as a result of surgery.
However, Dr. Don McKenzie challenged that advice and breast cancer survivors’ participation in dragon boating began in 1996 when he formed the first survivors' dragon boat team in Vancouver, Canada. None of the original 24 team members of the Abreast in A Boat dragon boat team developed lymphedema as a result of paddling. In fact, results indicated that dragon boating actually improved the survivors’ lymphedema symptoms and provided other physical, mental and emotional benefits.
WHAT CAN
DRAGON BOATING DO FOR YOU?
Breast of Texas welcomes all men and women who have battled or are in the process of battling breast cancer. We are dedicated to fostering positive experiences and relationships within the boat, the breast cancer community and with the DFW community at large. We provide opportunities to bond with other breast cancer survivors in a supportive environment and we share a desire to embrace life to the fullest following a breast cancer diagnosis. Dragon boating provides friendship, support and a “team” in a positive environment. Increased physical fitness, mental strength and body acceptance are just some of the benefits you will enjoy. Add fun, laughter, shared experience and a boatload of energy and you have the recipe for an experience you will never forget and friendships you will never lose.
The Connection Between Breast Cancer And Dragon Boat Racing
About 3,500 athletes from over a dozen countries went to Florence, Italy in July, 2018 to compete in an international sporting event. The athletes were all breast cancer survivors, and the sport was dragon boat racing. So, what's the connection between an ancient Chinese competition and breast cancer? Let's let Martin Kessler (@MartinKessler91) from NPR's Only A Game fill us in.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Breast of Texas Dragon Boat Team is to provide breast cancer survivors with an opportunity to achieve health and fitness and to promote breast cancer awareness in our community while having fun, gaining personal strength and proving that there is life after breast cancer. As a team, we are here to provide hope, help, strength and support to each other throughout each individual’s journey of survival.
We are Better Off Together!