Carolyn

 Breast cancer was beyond tough for me.  After spending too much time feeling negative and defeated, I knew that I needed to try and find something positive. I had heard about dragon boat teams for breast cancer survivors, and as a lifelong sailor who loves being on the water, the idea of finding a team gave me hope that I could get excited about something again, and that maybe there would be a silver lining to all of this. Hope Afloat was the perfect fit. I joined in March when the boats weren’t even in the water, but after meeting the team, I knew that this was where I belonged. Once I got on the water, I was even more certain that this was my silver lining to the ordeal of breast cancer. Hope Afloat has given me strength and confidence as a dragon boat paddler, but more importantly, my teammates have given me support and inspiration. I am truly grateful.