This summer, Buffalo RiverWorks and Hope Chest, a support group for breast cancer survivors, invite teams to participate in the annual Dragon Boat Festival on June 14. Each team, consisting of twenty paddlers, a drummer, and a steer person, rallies under the motto: “Paddle with a purpose, work out like a woman, and empower yourself!” In addition to the races, the festival features the poignant Carnation Ceremony, paying tribute to women impacted by breast cancer. Spectators and participants toss carnations into the water as symbols of strength and resilience, with last year’s event drawing thirty-two teams from Western New York and one from Los Angeles.
The Dragon Boat Festival, hosted by Buffalo RiverWorks and Hope Chest, features teams of breast cancer survivors racing and celebrating strength on June 14. With a motivating motto of empowerment, the event includes the Carnation Ceremony to honour the lives affected by breast cancer. Hope Chest provides unique fitness programs that promote health among its members, helping them thrive post-treatment.
The Dragon Boat Festival, spearheaded by Buffalo RiverWorks and Hope Chest, serves as an uplifting platform for breast cancer survivors to embrace health, strength, and community support. Founded by determined women, this initiative celebrates life through fitness and camaraderie, demonstrating that survivors can transform their journeys from mere survival to thriving. Through tailored fitness programs, participants forge new friendships while partaking in empowering activities that promote both physical and emotional well-being.
Original Source: www.buffalospree.com
