Politicians and paddles

Some politicians became Bosom Buddies on Lake Banook last weekend.

Twelve guest paddlers representing all three levels of government hopped into dragonboats to show their support for breast cancer survivors.

“I am glad that Councillor Gloria McCluskey tracked us all down to get us out paddling today,” said Mayor Mike Savage. “It was fun and is a wonderful thing to see such courage and dedication.”

Side by side the two dragonboats made their way down the lake. The ladies cheered when they made their way under the bridge. They laughed when the splashed each other.

“It is a water sport,” yelled one paddler.

“Get over it,” yelled another.

And they gritted their teeth and pulled hard when they to.

Bosom Buddies was formed 17 years ago. The group paddles three times a week on Lake Banook and weekly on Mahone Bay.

“We are a group of women living with breast cancer who strive to demonstrate that there is life after breast cancer,” said team member, Judie Edgar. “We support and care for each other while building physical and emotional health paddling together as a dragon boat team.”

She said they decided to go against the traditional thinking and become real examples of life after breast cancer. They have built something good, out of something bad.

“And when someone asks, ‘how are you’ they mean it.”

Their group has raced in festivals across Canada, winning gold at a festival in Cape Breton earlier in July. In October they will head to Florida to race.

But the team isn’t all about paddling.

“These women are my support,” said Bev Johnson. “We don’t sit around and have a pity party. We like to pay it forward. When they use the term ‘buddies’ they mean it. There is total acceptance here.”

Johnson had surgery and radiation treatment last May. She heard about the Bosom Buddies and decided to give them a call.

“My first call was interesting. When I said I wanted to come down and see what the paddling was all about, a lady said, honey you don’t sit there and watch.”

This team is about courage, dedication and educating people to let them know they can make a difference. Bosom Buddies are a positive response to a deadly disease.

“We have so much fun. We are active and powerful women,” said Debbie Pottie. Once your treatment is over, call us. No matter what your age or fitness level we will welcome you.”

For women in Nova Scotia breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer. In 2014 an estimated 760 women will be diagnosed.

Joining Mayor Savage at the Bosom Buddies event were Councillors Lorelei Nicoll, Steve Craig, Darren Fisher, Bill Karsten and Gloria McCluskey. The province was represented by MLAs Joanne Bernard, Andrew Younger and Allan Rowe.

Robert Chisholm, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour said he was honoured to be able to paddle in a boat with the Bosom Buddies.

“You are our sisters, mothers, daughters and wives. Thank you for having us here today.”

Perhaps the most touching part of the event happened before the politicians and Bosom Buddies even got in the boats.

The paddlers held hands and stood together. This was their circle of strength. It is a ritual before practices and races to help ground and focus the team. And then the leader recited the following words:

Relax and take some deep breaths.

Feel your body and mind slow down and be still.

Think for a moment about how we all came to be here, about the race we’ve won and will keep on winning.

Remember the strength, courage and determination that it took for you to win that race and how that will always be more important than any dragon boat race.

Feel how it radiates around this circle.

Multiply that strength by 70 plus and feel the power whenever you feel anxious or afraid.

Remember to send some healing positive energy to all the buddies dealing with cancer yet again.

They receive it and it helps them greatly.

We must keep moving forward always together with all of our strength.

Joanne Oostveen – The Chronicle Herald

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