A team of breast cancer survivors from Saskatoon is embarking on an international journey through dragon boat racing. The group, known as Busting with Energy, is set to compete in France against teams from various countries. Kerry Neal, a member of the team, expressed the profound sense of vitality and camaraderie experienced while paddling with fellow survivors who share similar life experiences.
Neal, who discovered the team during chemotherapy, eagerly joined as soon as she felt well enough. The team’s unity, comprising nearly 40 individuals who have faced breast cancer challenges, serves as a source of inspiration and support for its members. Affectionately calling themselves “the team no one wants to join,” membership is exclusively open to those who have encountered a breast cancer diagnosis.
The decision to engage in dragon boat racing stemmed from Neal’s desire to manage lymphedema, a common post-surgery condition characterized by limb swelling. The sport has proven to be beneficial for rehabilitating muscles and lymph nodes affected by breast cancer treatments. The inception of breast cancer dragon boat teams dates back to 1996 when a medical group in Vancouver initiated the first team. This move dispelled the misconception that activities like canoeing, requiring upper arm movement, were unsuitable for women who had undergone breast surgery.
Busting with Energy exemplifies the notion of life after breast cancer, as articulated by Anne Eagle, the team’s president. Eagle, a member for six years following her diagnosis 12 years ago, emphasizes the team’s role in fostering resilience and forming enduring connections among survivors. The team’s mission extends beyond physical strength to nurturing a community where individuals find solace, inspiration, and hope.
The team’s rigorous training regime, commencing with 12 weeks of dryland sessions in February and progressing to on-water practices by May, accommodates women of diverse fitness levels and ages, including those in their 80s. Eagle draws motivation from an elderly teammate’s unwavering determination, inspiring her to persevere through challenges.
Participating in the 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in France, Busting with Energy joins a global assembly of 4,500 breast cancer survivors from various corners of the world. The event, emphasizing unity over competition, symbolizes the growing prevalence of breast cancer dragon boat teams worldwide. In Canada alone, there are over 50 such teams, with the global count exceeding 210, showcasing the expanding reach and impact of this empowering movement.
