Sandy joined Abreast In A Boat in 1997 and was the first person to hold the position of Global Liaison. Sandy became the contact person for other women to start their own breast cancer dragon boat team. It was a role she fell into by accident, one that became her passion and eventually almost a full-time job.  Many of the teams around the world including Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, other parts of Canada and Singapore benefited from her unstinting efforts.

Sandy passed away in February 2005. For several years she quietly and bravely fought her recurrence and continued with her Global Liaison work as her health permitted. She was a woman of incredible courage, perseverance and conviction.

At the first International Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Regatta held in Vancouver, B.C. a new tradition was born. To acknowledge and honour Sandy’s contribution to breast cancer dragon boating worldwide, representative crews from around the world competed in The Sandy Smith Global Race. Since then at all international breast cancer festivals this race is held in her honour. Sandy’s legacy continues.  See Paul Smith's speech given in Australia, October 2007.