2500 Breast cancer survivors from 12 countries worldwide participated in the IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota, Florida held between 24th October to 26th October 2014. Held every 4 years this specific festival for breast cancer survivors is run under the auspices of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission, an international organisation and a Commission of the International Dragon Boat Federation.

The IBCPC’s mandate is to encourage the establishment of breast cancer dragon boat teams within the framework of participation and inclusiveness. It supports the development of recreational dragon boat paddling as a contribution to a healthy lifestyle for those diagnosed with breast cancer.

With the assistance of the Arthur Guinness Fund “Team Ireland” was formed from those breast cancer survivor paddlers who individually choose to participate in this year’s Festival. The team came a respectable 29th out of 101 teams, plus were the fastest European breast cancer survivor team at the event. A good result considering the team had only paddled 7 times together.

Ireland currently has 4 Breast Cancer Survivor Clubs with a further one planned to launch in Northern Ireland in the spring of 2015.