Breast Cancer Survivors

Healing Dragons of Charlotte Paddle for Wellness by Jennifer Mitchell | photography courtesy of Healing Dragons of Charlotte

Arrive at Mountain Island Lake in the Latta Nature Preserve at just the right time, and chances are you will see them. A focused and determined group of cancer warriors and supporters, taking to the water. Their team is known as the Healing Dragons of Charlotte. They compete in the fasting growing water sport – called dragon boat racing – first originating in southern China, dating back more than 2,000 years ago.

The Charlotte area team was founded in 2009 and over the years has included more than 200 plus members competing in more than 70 races. The paddling competitions involve teams powering 40-foot-long, canoe-style boats, with 22 people to a boat including paddlers, a helmsman and a drummer. of community. “Our team is very much like an extended family,” explains Boileau. “We practice and travel to races together, but also have dinners together, come together for meetings, kayaking and other activities. It’s all about supporting one another.”

Membership grows each year and includes both men and women ranging in age from their 20s to 70 and older. Not only cancer survivors, but their supporters, caregivers, spouses, and friends. Practices take place at Mountain Island Lake on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The team competes in a variety of locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, averaging about six to eight races a year.

Approximately one third of team members are breast cancer survivors, but others have battled skin, eye and cervical cancer to name a few. New paddlers are always welcome and prior experi-

The team at a race in Beaufort, SC., where they picked up bronze medals. From left to right: Zan Tu, vice president, Pam Boileau, president, captain Jackie Biddle, and Gina Meli, cancer survivor.

To learn more about Healing Dragons of Charlotte visit their website www.healingdragons.org, Facebook page or MeetUp page to sign up for a practice.

will compete at the 22nd Annual Charlotte Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race on Oct. 8. The event is held at Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road, in Cornelius.

ence is not required. As coach, Sienna Wyniemko (who happens to be an international world championship Gold Medalist in the sport) explains, she will teach you everything you need to know.

“It’s often easier if someone doesn’t have experience because I can teach the paddling technique on a clean slate,” Wyniemko jokes. It’s all about working in sync and teammates supporting each other every step of the way. “Just being around others who have gone through something similar provides such sense of confidence that there is nothing we can’t do.”

Healing Dragons is a non-profit organization with community, diversity and inclusion, and teamwork among its’ core values. Organizers say the friendships created establish a special support network that becomes a valuable part of a cancer survivor’s wellness journey. Building upper body strength and a tighter core are some of the physical benefits. But the emotional bonds and camaraderie will last a lifetime.

Boileau explains that cancer survivors and their supporters are welcome to come out and practice with the group two times before determining if they want to join the team. “Being on the water several times a week has such a calming effect,” Boileau adds. “People love the physicality of the sport, working in rhythm to reach goals and sharing the team spirit. I have made many new friends that are now like family. It has been one of the best decisions of my life.”