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Written by Pamela Roth
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Sunday, July 05 2009, 11:18 PM |
Whenever a dragonfly lands on one of the paddles of the members of the Abreast of ’Bridge dragonboat team, Marnie Stanley can’t help but feel it’s a sign from past members who have passed away from breast cancer, encouraging the team to go on.
The dragonfly is a special symbol for the team of 20 members, who have all battled breast cancer and are now proud survivors. On Sunday, their smiles faded as more than 140 breast cancer survivors, who are also participants of the ATB Financial Rotary Dragonboat Festival, strolled across the wooden bridge under an arch of oriental parasols and dragon boats oars to take a moment and remember those who haven’t been as fortunate.
In remembrance of their teammates, they tossed the petals of single roses into the water of Henderson Lake to symbolize the hope and beauty of all the support they have received.
“Our hearts are broken when we lose a team member, but we always remember them. The fight against breast cancer has become a passion for our team. We are survivors, we paddle in a boat and we live life to the fullest,” said Stanley, who has been a breast cancer survivor for eight years and is proud to be the president of such a passionate team.
“It gives you such a positive attitude and outlook on life. The friendship we have is so close that we are just there for each other.”
Abreast of ’Bridge began with a group of women who were undergoing breast cancer treatment and got to know each other from the cancer centre. They formed a bond and began living life to the fullest, going on hiking and whitewater excursions, and began a paddling team.
During her time spent with the team, Stanley has had to say good-bye to four members who fought hard to live a good life, but lost the fight in the end. This year the team welcomed three new members who needed support during hard times and wanted to live life to the fullest.
Linda Bowie of Saskatoon was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 — news she said was devastating, especially since she was told on her and her husband’s anniversary. The following year she joined the local dragonboat team in her city, Busting with Energy, and hasn’t looked back since. The group doesn’t dwell on their illness, but rather celebrates their accomplishments.
Remembering friends from the team who have passed away from cancer and couldn’t be at Henderson Lake to race on Sunday brought tears to her eyes.
“You just kind of remember everything and what it’s all about,” said Bowie. “At a time like this, it’s good to remember them, but then we say we have to move on and paddle our best. We’d like to win, but if we don’t we are still together doing something we enjoy with a great group of women and we are all winners in the end.”
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