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Tania Mitchell - Dragons Abreast Mackay

Tania is a newer member of the group and had her first festival experience in France.Dragons Abreast Mackay’s motto is “Fun, fitness and friendship” and this is what I have experienced these past 7 days in Annecy/Aix Le Bains FranceOn my way to Annecy on the first day I was filled with excitement mixed with a bit of social anxiety due to being my first big event with the team in which many had travelled together a few times and I was a newbie. We were going to be together for 7 days racing...

Dense Breast Tissue: A New Discovery

Researchers may have discovered how dense breast tissue leads to cancer, and they hope they can get ahead of tumour formation.Breast cancer often grows in dense tissue, and women found to have this type of breast tissue are typically flagged for follow-up appointments after a mammogram. According to the Mayo Clinic, dense breast tissue makes breast cancer screening more difficult, as it appears as solid white on a mammogram image, and it also increases the risk of developing breast cancer.Now, r...

Breathing Techniques After Surgery

Diaphragmatic Breathing – Often taught first in early post-operative recovery. It focuses on belly movement to reduce strain on the chest incisions, lower neck and shoulder tension, and act as a lymphatic pump to help manage swelling.Rib Cage Expansion – Introduced later during rehabilitation or stretching exercises. Expanding the ribs helps reduce tightness, improve intercostal muscle function, and restore upper body mobility once initial surgical healing allows.Deep Inspiration Breathing ...

Deepest Condolences

It is never easy to be the bearer of sad news. After a noticeably short illness, we are extremely sad to announce the passing of Tina O’Connor the beautiful wife (his angel eyes) of Mark O'Connor, our wonderful Men’s Breast Cancer Ambassador.Mark passed away in February of this year. To hear of Tina’s very sudden passing was a double-edged sword for us as she was equally as much a part of the breast cancer community as Mark was. Mark and Tina were to be VIP guests at the IBCPC festival in ...

Cassie Bryant's Inspiring Journey

Photo of Cassie, Australia Flag Bearer for the opening ceremony, with Carmel (aged 89), Australian Flag Bearer for the closing ceremony....

IBCPC Board Update

The IBCPC Board recently held its first meeting since France, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We were delighted to welcome Kris as Vice President, Veronica as Secretary, and Sue as Interim Finance Director.The meeting provided an opportunity for Board members to get to know one another, share ideas, and begin discussing the important work ahead. There was a strong sense of enthusiasm and collaboration, with every member bringing a deep passion for the IBCPC and its future. We l...

From The Desk Of The President

Kia ora koutou katoa, dear paddlers, friends and supporters,It is now two months since we left the shores of Lac du Bourget, I am still carrying the colour, the music and the warmth of Aix-les-Bains. The 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival brought 4,500 breast cancer survivors and supporters from across the globe to France’s largest natural lake. It was one of the most moving gatherings our community has ever known.At the Opening Ceremony I welcomed you with a mihi whakatau, a Māori...

Science Sphere

A leukaemia drug may help stop breast cancer from spreading to the brain — but the evidence is still early.Researchers studied HER2-positive breast cancer, a subtype that can be especially dangerous when it metastasizes to the brain.They focused on two enzymes called ABL1 and ABL2 kinases. These enzymes appear to help cancer cells build up HER2 protein on their surface, supporting growth and spread.In mouse experiments, blocking ABL signalling with Asciminib, a drug already approved for certai...

Joyce Thomas: Still Paddling at 92!

We believe Joyce is the OLDEST, FITTEST FOR AGE, Breast Cancer Survivor, who still paddles and drums.In 2024, Bribie Pink Dragons celebrated the 90th birthday of our long-standing member and, still current, drummer and paddler, Joyce Thomas. It was a lovely event with great weather, creative titbits, and a specially crafted individual birthday cake. After cutting her cake, in an emotional few words, Joyce thanked everyone for the camaraderie, the friendship, the love and sisterhood of support&nb...

Philadelphia Flying Phoenix

We are so proud of Betty Solley. Betty was inducted to the Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association (ERDBA) Hall of Fame, presented by Ellen Law, President of ERDBA.Here are excerpts from Betty’s induction ceremony:Athletic achievement: Betty has been a driving force in the dragon boat community for over two decades, combining athletic excellence, coaching brilliance, and visionary leadership. Her contributions extend across every pillar of the Hall of Fame’s mission—athletic achievement, ...

Coaching Tips

Coaching a breast cancer survivor crew is one of the most rewarding roles in our sport. Research shows that vigorous, repetitive upper-body exercise like paddling is safe after breast cancer treatment. Exercise is medicine, and the coach helps deliver the dose. These tips below are the simple things that I have learnt as being both a paddler/team captain/manager and now as a coach and will help every paddler in your boat train safely, progress steadily and enjoy the water.Ten tips for coachesSta...

Letter of Support: Our Venezuelan Team

On behalf of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission and the entire global IBCPC community, we want you to know that our thoughts are with you following the recent earthquakes to affect your region.We know that moments like this test communities in ways that are hard to put into words, and we want you to know that you are not facing this alone. The IBCPC family stretches across the world, and right now, every one of us is standing with you — in spirit, in solidarity, and in whatev...

Global Breast Cancer Statistics: A World Snapshot

Executive Summary.  Breast cancer is usually the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women across major world regions, but outcomes differ sharply by region. Among the best reported five-year survival outcomes are seen in Australia, North America, and much of Western and Northern Europe, where organised screening, earlier diagnosis, and broad access to multimodal treatment support strong outcomes. Australia reports 92.7% five-year survival, the United States about 92%, Canada 90%, and...

From the desk of the President

What a season it has been. Between exploring homes for our future festivals, spending time with teams on the ground, representing IBCPC on the world stage, and preparing for the business of Congress, I have rarely stopped moving these past few months — and I would not have it any other way.Much of my travel has centred on scouting locations for our 2030 and 2034 festivals. There is nothing quite like standing on the water where a future festival will one day be held and picturing the thousands...

Congress Update: Nominations & Board News

As many of you know, the roles of Secretary and Vice President are up for election at this year's Congress. We are pleased to share the following nominees standing for these positions:Secretary: Jo Parry, Veronica CarlosVice President: Lucia de Ranieri (incumbent), Clare Fiaschi, Kris KunzeWe encourage all members to review each nominee's statement and biography ahead of Congress and to vote thoughtfully — these are demanding, voluntary roles that carry real responsibility for our organisation...

A New Wave of Hope for Breast Cancer Survivors

I am always reading and learning about our cohort and the journeys we travel in life. This piece of research inspired me to think more about what we go through post a diagnosis.For every breast cancer survivor who has sat in a doctor's room waiting for answers, every new step toward kinder, more personalised treatment matters. A large international clinical trial has brought encouraging news: many people with a common type of breast cancer may be able to safely avoid chemotherapy, thanks to a ge...

Paddles Ready Podcast

Paddles Ready Podcast: This is really cool.These guys will be commentating the club crew championships in Hualien. They talk a bit at the start and I come in at about 10 minutes. Tune in, turn it up, it’s a good listen!Meri....

President's Report

Thank you for the wonderful energy you have brought to our refreshed newsletter. It is encouraging to see the April edition performing just as strongly as March, and it reminds us that when we share our stories, we strengthen our connection across oceans and seasons. We will keep this style and rhythm going for as long as the creative sparks keep flying—so please, keep sending in your team stories. We would love to feature at least one in every edition.As President, I am also part of the Futur...

France 2026 Congress

We are looking forward to all getting together in France for our participatory event. It is such a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow paddlers and see our friends from around the world!Important Notice: The France organizing committee has changed the time of the Managers' meeting to 9:00 am so it will now be before Congress. Congress registration will start at 10:00 am and the meeting will start at 10:30 am.There are two positions up for election, Vice President and Secretary. Those nomination...

Future Festival Planning

The IBCPC Festival Bid Process Underway: IBCPC festivals are among the most meaningful events in our international calendar. Held every four years in a different part of the world, each festival is far more than a gathering—it is a celebration of participation, friendship, perseverance, and the shared spirit that unites our community across countries, cultures, and languages.For many paddlers, supporters, and survivors, the festival is a milestone event: a chance to reconnect, to honour p...

Andrew's Coaching Tips

Many of you will remember Andrew from the IBCPC festival in New Zealand 2023 (yes, the one in the red heels), but he is also a clinical nurse consultant with a master’s degree in nursing. He has led many teams in a clinical environment and his particular field of experience is in vascular access and infusion therapy and he is also the lead examiner for assessing the dragon boat para-athletes, so he knows what he is talking about. Breast cancer, uncertainty, and the journey into dragon boatingF...

Festival 2026 Update

Opening Ceremony: Thursday 27 August1.00 - All teams to be on site.3.00 - All teams should assemble under the trees. Teams will be located by country and then alphabetically by team, from Argentina first through to USA last. France will walk in last, in the same way as the Olympics.4.00 - Teams start walking.4.30pm - Teams are on site.5.00 - It is expected that all teams will be on the beach ready for the speeches and the awakening of the Dragons, followed by the opening ceremony and festivities...

Therapies That Support

This article explains that so-called “alternative therapies” in cancer care are best understood as complementary or integrative approaches used alongside standard medical treatment. It outlines the supportive therapies with the strongest evidence for helping manage symptoms and treatment side effects in metastatic breast cancer, including mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, massage, creative therapies, and dietitian-led nutrition support.The article emphasises that these therapies may improve qu...

Croatia's Story

A New Era of Strength, Sisterhood, and Global PresenceDragonboat Klub Zadar has come a long way since its formation, transforming from a small group of brave beginners into a vibrant, confident, and internationally connected BCS team. What began in 2022 as a bold idea has now become one of Croatia’s most uplifting stories of resilience, teamwork, and community.Today, the team stands proudly as Croatia’s first and pioneering BCS dragon boat club, continuing to grow in both numbers and spirit....

IBCPC Festival Update

The 2026 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival will take place from August 24 to August 30, 2026, in Aix-les-Bains, France, on the shores of Lake Bourget. The Congress part of the festival is specifically to be held in the Cinema Complex, Aix les Bains on the 27th August 2026.The IBCPC 2023 Constitution/By Laws can be found on the IBCPC website under documents/governance. The updates that were voted on at the 2023 Congress were added to be current from May 1st, 2023. For transparency and refe...