Finding Strength and Community After Breast Cancer

Coach Laura, left, coaching teammate during pandemic

2020-October

After breast cancer treatment left her physically limited, Britten longed to feel strong again. Traditional workouts were tough—chemo had weakened her heart and lungs, and surgeries reduced her range of motion. That’s when the Pink Lemonade Project connected her with Catch-22, a Clark County-based dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors. Despite pandemic challenges, Britten joined immediately.

Coach Laura got creative, setting up a paddling tank in her yard to keep training going. The team stayed active through home workouts and wellness challenges—and they're raising funds to compete in New Zealand in 2022.

Dragon boating has become a global movement for breast cancer survivors, thanks to research showing it helps reduce lymphedema. The sport offers healing, purpose, and community.

As one long-time paddler puts it: “Breast cancer tears you down to ground zero. This builds you back up.”

Read the article: https://www.pinklemonadeproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10-20_Members-of-Catch-22.pdf