Our Stories
Three Abreast In A Boat, In Their Own Words
Esther Matsubuchi, Patricia Tanaka and Vivian Omori share their Abreast In A Boat experience with John Endo Greenway of the Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association.
I’ve Been to London to Visit the Queen
On June 3, 2012, I found myself just outside London, standing knee deep in the Thames. Around me, an assortment of man-powered vessels were organizing themselves on the water, getting ready to be part of the Queen’s Flotilla. This flotilla was to be a perfectly choreographed parade of a thousand boats making there way down the Thames in celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. It was a sight to see, history in the making, and I was a part of it.
Auxiliary Day at Delta Hospital
Elaine Canning of the Delta Hospital Auxiliary invited AIAB to join them May 10, 2012 to celebrate the arrival of their new digital mammography equipment, which was purchased thanks to the hard work of the Auxiliary members (they raised over $700,000.00).
KPMG Survivor Speech
Lisa Webb, from the Abreast In A Boat, FORT-itude crew gave a compelling talk and survivor speech to a group of students involved in the KPMG recruitment day.
Getting Iced for ALS Research
When the ALS ice bucket challenge went viral in the summer of 2014, Sheila Tynan, co-manager of the Richmond crew of Abreast in a Boat wanted to bring awareness to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and raise money for the research of this disease. She wanted to give the disease a human face, and she conscripted her breast cancer survivor team to action!
Survivor Speech for Canadian Cancer Society
Neoma Quintin, of the Abreast In A Boat, FORT-itude crew spoke to a group of volunteers for the Canadian Cancer Society in Surrey. Neoma spoke about her experience getting a breast cancer diagnosis at such a very young age, and how the treatment and issues differ for younger women.
Quebec City Speech
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 1996, my first reaction was one of terror and panic. I remember thinking that anyone who I had known with cancer, family members and friends had all died. No one in my family spoke about cancer openly. Then, as I was quickly thrown into the treatment phase, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, it seemed that as long as something was being done, I would likely be “OK”. My expectation was that I would have a sense of relief and elation when I finished treatment. But instead of relief I felt only fear, agitation and a loss of control.
The Story of the Sandy Smith Global Race
This is what Sandy Smith valued about dragon boating. It wasn’t about winning, it was about participating. It wasn’t about personal success, it was about welcoming women from many backgrounds, ages, and skill levels to share an experience that would enrich their lives, to give breast cancer survivors a sense of direction, purpose, and above all, a sense of living.