"It's sisterhood. It's survivorship. It's brought me to be with people that have been on the same journey that I've been on."
"There were definitely times I thought I wanted to give up. And so, getting in the dragon boat, I thought the same thing! The first practice, somebody handed me a paddle and I'm like I can't do this. And then I finished and I came back for another one."
"In 2025, 5 members of the team competed in Germany on the world stage on the first ever Breast Cancer Paddler team! They took home a total of three silver and three bronze medals and showed their moxie on the world stage and proved how their determination and spirit can make a big difference."
"It's very challenging. But that's what you try and strive for. That's what keeps you going. And that's the wonderful thing about this sport. I mean, there's no age limit on this sport. We have people in their eighties doing this and it's a fabulous, fabulous thing."
Hope Afloat USA is a Philadelphia-based dragon boat team composed entirely of breast cancer survivors. Team members practice on the water three times a week to build camaraderie, belonging, and physical recovery after diagnosis. Paddling helps members regain strength and resilience, overcoming doubts during early practices and returning with determination. Five team members competed in Germany in 2025 as part of the first Breast Cancer Paddler team, earning three silver and three bronze medals. The sport accommodates a wide age range, including paddlers in their eighties, and fosters teamwork, challenge, and connection. More information is available at https://www.hopeafloatusa.org.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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