Being a part of the breast cancer community can bring about so many welcome surprises. Welcome?! How can there be anything welcoming in a world surrounded by this awful disease? It is a commonly asked question by people who simply do not understand. Most of the people I have met, as a result of my work with breast cancer, seem to begin to try things – live like they have never lived before. They begin to reclaim life!
On June 7th I am going to be navigating uncharted waters…literally. In all my years as a part 
of the many victories, deep sorrows, action, advocacy, and empowerment did I EVER see this one coming (nor did I ever see myself doing something like this for breast cancer)… Dragon Boat Racing!
Dragon boat racing is legendary and mythical. It has come to symbolize man’s struggle against nature and the fight against dangerous enemies. Cancer is the enemy and the survivors become the courageous warriors!
A dragon boat is about 45 feet long, holds 20 paddlers, a steersperson and a drummer. I will be part of a team of extraodinary cancer survivors, and friends, who race dragon boats. The two teams are sponsored by a local Asian restaurant in Davidson called Sabi (the poor souls that asked me to be a part of this adventure). The team names – Team Sabi, and Chemo Sabi!!!! It isn’t easy folks. It is nail-biting competition.
I’ve kayaked countless times – We even own several kayaks. Never have I done anything like this before. It is different than crewing (which I tried back in the day in Charleston). Walking 60 miles…done it (over and over). Dragon Boating? New adventure! I am most certain I will discover aching muscles I never knew I had. I do not know if I am more excited about the experience itself, the team of survivors, or the competition. All I know is that I am helping “Awaken The Dragon!”
Check out these links:
Charlotte Festival : Our event
Dragon Boat Charleston : The team (the pictures are from this site).
Awaken The Dragon : Awesome documentary in the making.
THAT IS AWESOME SALLY!!!
You will love this, Sally! My cousin Sallie Vee (Wooten) Zervos just did this in Charleston in honor of her mom, my dear cousin, Sallie Wooten, who died from ovarian cancer.
Congrats and good luck!!! Love, Liz