Linda B.

I was 40 years old when I was first diagnosed and didn’t know anyone who had breast cancer to speak with, but I managed to get through it. Five years later I had a recurrence, requiring a mastectomy and TRANS flap reconstruction surgery.

An acquaintance said, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. Hope Afloat has been my lemonade for 20 years. I had heard about Dragonboating and was given a flyer at a Komen survivors luncheon. I went to the river looking for a nice way to exercise on our beautiful river but found so much more! The love and camaraderie I found was amazing!

In addition, the need to train has motivated my lifestyle. I have always participated in some exercise, jazzersize, tennis, bowling, in the past, but now I’m much more active because I think of myself as IN training, always!

Some of our most rewarding events are the international breast cancer survivor races. There are survivors from so many countries, it’s unbelievable! It feels like being in the Olympics! Despite our many cultural and language differences, we all have one thing in common that binds us together. We have raced in Vancouver, Peterborough, Australia, Sarasota and Florence.

I am fortunate to spend my winters in Florida, where I am on another dragonboat team, so that I can paddle all year. I come back to Philadelphia for the summer to mingle with friends, hug my grandchildren and hop back in the boat with my Hope Afloat sisters.