As the Kelowna's only breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, and in honour of our 10th year anniversary, Bust"nLoose would like to invite the public out to the festival this week-end, and specifically to the Carnation Ceremony around 12:00 noon on Sunday. The Carnation Ceremony commemorates all women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The inclusion of a breast cancer dragon boat team empowers all survivors to live an active lifestyle, and believe in life after breast cancer. The Kelowna Dragonboat Festival welcomes 4 survivor teams this year.
Breast cancer dragonboat teams were started by Dr. Don McKenzie a sports medicine professional at UBC. Dr McKenzie believed that upper body exercise has a role in recovery from some of the side effects of breast cancer treatments because it can improve range of motion and reverse muscle atrophy, activate skeletal muscle, and stimulate the immune system. Today there are more than 140 breast cancer dragon boating teams worldwide, in Canada, USA, a team in every state of Australia, and teams in New Zealand, Singapore, Italy, Poland and United Kingdom, all reaching out to other women and offering them a message of hope and support.
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