The races will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Promenade Pere-Marquette in Lachine. Not only is this Cedars signature event a highlight of our calendar, but it is also the primary fundraiser for Cedars CanSupport. Cedars CanSupport is the supportive care mission of the Cedars Cancer Centre at the MUHC, a program that provides cancer patients and their families with practical, educational, emotional, and humanitarian support.
All funds raised through the BDO Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race will go directly to Cedars CanSupport.
Cedars CanSupport is a program at the Cedars Cancer Centre of the MUHC. In collaboration with the healthcare team, Cedars CanSupport provides complementary support complimenting conventional treatment, improving the quality of life of cancer patients and their families.
CanSupport is comprised of professional staff and trained volunteers all with the shared goal of providing emotional support, education services, complementary therapies and practical resources to cancer patients and their support networks.
Who does CanSupport assist:
Targeted programming is also offered for young adults (18-39) living with cancer.
What role does CanSupport serve:
For over 50 years, Cedars Cancer Foundation has lead the way in charitable donation in Montreal. A hospital-based charity, Cedars Cancer Foundation’s mission is to support comprehensive cancer care for all cancer patients: pediatric, adolescent, young adult, adulty and those in palliative care, who are being treated at the MUHC.
Through the proceeds raised through fundraising events, such as the BDO Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race, corporate and individual donations, major gifts, planned giving and dedicated funds, Cedars Cancer Foundation is able to:
Dragon Boat racing originated in Southern China and gained widespread popularity in North America in the 1970s. It has become one of the most popular team watersports given its appeal as a corporate team building activity and a fun, team-based, competitive fundraising mechanism.
Each Dragon Boat holds up to 20 paddlers, 1 steer person and 1 drummer. The challenge and excitement of dragon boat racing lines in the synchronization of the paddler’s cohesive strokes, not in the paddlers’ strength. All paddlers, regardless of experience or skill level, work to paddle together to gain momentum and glide seemingly effortlessly in the water.
Following research done by a Canadian doctor in the 1990s, dragon boat racing gained popularity amongst cancer patients and cancer survivors as it was deemed of great benefit to their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
Dragon Boat racing continues to inspire not only cancer patients and survivors but by all those in their networks of care through its ability to bring together people from various backgrounds for a common cause.
