“We are thrilled that Jupiter Medical Center’s Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center has come on board to support our ladies and our mission of community, camaraderie and competition,” said Debbie Brooks, a breast cancer survivor who first discovered dragon boating while living in the Miami area. She founded the local team in 2015 after moving to Palm Beach County. “Many of our team members received their treatment at Jupiter Medical Center, so it’s very special that the hospital is helping former patients as they find wellness and an active life after breast cancer.”

 

Dragon boating originated in Southern China more than 2,000 years ago and takes place in a 40 foot long, 4 foot wide canoe that dawns a decorative painted dragon head and tail during races. In the 1980’s, Dr. Don Mackenzie, a Canadian sports medicine practitioner, realized the many benefits of rowing for breast cancer survivors, despite previous claims that strenuous and repetitive upper body activity could cause health risks for those in recovery. There are now more than 150 registered breast cancer survivor teams throughout the world, including more than 50 teams in the United States.