Hope floats

With 1 in 8 women facing a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, the physical, emotional and financial challenges are overwhelming. Bernie’s Boat of breast cancer survivors paddle for strength, connection and fun. Through teamwork and determination, we celebrate life, support each other, and embrace the healing power of the water. 

Your donation here helps support the participation of women and men in Grey and Bruce counties (Ontario) in this healing activity. 

About Bernie’s Boat

The day you are diagnosed with breast cancer is the day you become a survivor!

Let us introduce you to Bernie's Boat, a dragon boat team formed in 2024 serving Grey and Bruce counties. This initiative was the dream of Bernie Schlauch, a passionate advocate who sadly succumbed to metastatic breast cancer before seeing her vision fully realized. However, her legacy lives on. A dedicated team of women have taken up the torch, ensuring Bernie's dream becomes a reality. Bernie's Boat welcomes anyone in Grey and Bruce counties who has been impacted by breast cancer – patients, survivors, and thrivers. Whether it’s you, your wife, sister, daughter, friend, or neighbour, the benefits of paddling alongside those who understand your journey are immeasurable: improved health-related quality of life, reduced fatigue, and enhanced social well-being. 

We are excited to launch Bernie’s boat in our new home along the Saugeen River in Southampton, Ontario. Our team welcomes everyone, regardless of prior experience in dragon boat paddling! You don’t need any special athletic talent or muscle strength to join us. Right now, over 40 of us, all proud breast cancer survivors, have found joy in paddling with Bernie’s Boat. We have plenty of room for more participants, and we’d love to invite more breast cancer survivors to join our amazing community. 

From May to October, weather permitting, practices are scheduled on the water on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. In addition to twice weekly practices, the team has plans to travel (locally, nationally and internationally) to participate in Breast Cancer Survivor dragon boat races and create awareness of life after a breast cancer diagnosis. We look forward to this new adventure with Courage, Commitment, and Camaraderie as we explore the benefits of Dragon Boating.

Background on Dragon Boating for Breast Cancer

Thirty years ago, Dr. Don McKenzie, a visionary researcher from British Columbia, challenged conventional wisdom by exploring the link between physical activity and breast cancer recovery. His 1998 publication in the Canadian Medical Association Journal documented his pioneering work: a dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors. Dr. McKenzie's belief was simple yet profound: strenuous upper body exercise in a supportive, aesthetically pleasing environment could significantly benefit these women. 

His research proved him right. Dragon boating not only promoted physical health but also fostered a sense of community, hope, and empowerment. It debunked the myth that upper body exercise leads to lymphedema, offering a tangible "life after breast cancer." The impact was undeniable: improved mental health, boosted endorphins, and a powerful sense of camaraderie. 

Today, this Canadian-born initiative has spread globally, with over 16,000 participants across 35+ countries. In 2021, Dr. McKenzie received the Order of Canada for his "seminal research on the effectiveness of exercise as an intervention for breast cancer patients."