Fiji Outrigger and the Fiji Cancer Society (FCS) held a “Dragon Boating” event for breast cancer survivors in Suva yesterday.
Fiji Outrigger president Joanne Reiher said they were fortunate to be able to partner with FCS for a worthy cause.
“This boat had been donated to FCS by a cancer survivor to help cancer survivor warriors in Fiji undertake activities aside from other sports in the country,” she said.
“We had invited all our different clubs to be part of the program in support of breast cancer awareness month.
“Groups that came in today (yesterday) were the Takia Canoe Club, Lami Paddlers Club, Kaiwai Canoe Club, USP Islanders, Tafaga Canoe Club, Ovalau Canoe Club, Nausori Canoe Club and Nadi Bay Canoe Club.
“This is our first official engagement with FCS, the response has been very good towards the event.
“We have children and family who have come down from paddling communities to support this worthy cause.”
Ms Reiher said FCS needed any type of support — whether it was in kind, cash or donations.
FCS CEO Belinda Chan said the international Breast Cancer Paddlers Association through Dolly Devi approached FCS for a possible partnership for “Abreast in a boat”.
“With the support of the membership of the association and her Canadian colleagues, Ms Dolly and her team were able to raise funds for the purchase of a brand new dragon boat with fitted life jackets,” Ms Chan said.
“The dragon boat was officially launched on February 4 World Cancer Day this year, with paddlers coming in from New Zealand, Australia and Canada to support our Breast Cancer Survivors.”
She added it was a proud moment seeing our survivors paddle out in the dragon boat yesterday with the team from Fiji Outrigger.
“We are truly grateful and thankful to Margaret Eastgate and Joanne Reiher for the support and the Fiji Sailing Center for providing a new home for her.
“Williams and Gosling has been very patient with us and we surely appreciate their support for the storage.”
