Olympic diver Alexandre Despatie is doing it and so is Alexia Calvillo,
cancer survivor and wife of Montreal Alouette quaterback Anthony Calvillo.
In fact, some 800 Montrealers are participating and more are sure to join.
From patients to physicians and athletes, they will all be dipping their
oars to support the thousands affected by cancer. Their joint efforts will
be put to the test on Sept. 12, 2009 during the annual Cedars Cancers
Institute Fuller Landau “Rain or Shine” Dragon Boat Race & Festival.
“When I am on the diving platform I am alone, but I know my fans and family
are cheering me on and supporting me. This is what the Cedars CanSupport is
doing for all cancer patients. They are cheering for the patients — giving
them the care, attention and support they need. We are letting them know
they are not alone in their battle with cancer. I am honoured to be a part
of the Cedar efforts,” says Mr. Despatie.
On Sept. 12, hundreds of men, women and children will come together for the
experience of paddling dragon boats to raise money to benefit Cedars
CanSupport. These funds will go directly to provide cancer patients and
their families with psychological and emotional support, financial
assistance, and practical information.
“We cannot begin to tell you how much CanSupport helped us through Alexia’s
illness,” says Mr. Calvillo.
“The psychological and emotional distress that accompany cancer can be as
debilitating as the illness itself,” says Mrs. Calvillo. “I was thankful for
the support and assistance I received from CanSupport.” Mrs. Calvillo will
be paddling next Saturday.
Anyone can participate in dragon boat racing regardless of age and fitness
level and no experience is necessary.
“It was quite exhilarating to be physical again, after my illness,” says
cancer patient Maria DeSantis. “Knowing that we were all pulling together as
a team to help support other patients was extremely fulfilling and
uplifting. The whole event boosted my confidence and outlook.”
Thirty-eight paddling teams have already registered for this year’s event.
They include participants from Dollarama, Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s
School, HSBC, Fednav and TD banks. Each team of 21 paddlers must raise a
minimum of $10,000 to participate. They need public support to achieve their
fundraising objectives. To donate, visit www.cedarsdragons.ca.
The Cedars Cancer Institute is a hospital-based charity that supports
comprehensive cancer care and funding to patients and healthcare
professionals at the McGill University Health Centre, specifically the Royal
Victoria Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital and, through its Sarah Cook
Fund, the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Since its inception in 1966, The
Cedars Cancer Institute has raised more than $29 million in much-needed
funds to purchase state-of-the-art oncology equipment, improve facilities
for treatment and care of cancer patients, offer cancer patients and their
families free, psycho-social, practical and humanitarian assistance through
its Cedars CanSupport program, support cancer research, provide fellowships
for visiting professors and improve public awareness of cancer-related
issues through lectures and education.
