Breast cancer advocacy group Europa Donna Ireland has announced that the national Dragon Boat Roadshow will visit Baysport, Hodson Bay, Athlone on Sunday April 6.
Dragon boating is an ancient Chinese sport that sees up to 20 paddlers take to the water in a single boat, and it has become increasingly popular in Ireland in recent years. The Dragon Boat Roadshow aims to increase public awareness of the sport and the health benefits it offers.
For those who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer and other cancers, dragon boating provides a fun way to reintroduce physical activity into one’s life. Europa Donna Ireland will use the roadshow to engage with the public, helping to eliminate some of the myths and fears surrounding breast cancer and to spread the message that physical activity is beneficial at all stages of our lives.
The roadshow is being made possible through the support of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. Europa Donna Ireland was one of 11 organisations to benefit from the fund last year, receiving a grant of €10,000 towards the project.
Chairperson of Europa Donna Ireland, Dympna Watson, said: “We are thrilled to launch the Dragon Boat Roadshow, which we hope will spread awareness of dragon boating in Ireland. It has been shown that those undergoing treatment for breast cancer can benefit from dragon boating through managing certain side effects, such as lymphoedema, a chronic swelling of the arm.”
For further information on the National Dragon Boat Roadshow, please visit www.europadonnaireland.ie
