IBCPC Dragon Boating Featured in Short Film Promoting Exercise in Cancer Survivors
Submitted by Kira Bloomquist and Shari Annes.
Over the past several decades exercise has been found to help with numerous side- and late-effects of cancer treatment, as well as add quality of life benefits. More recently, studies point to several cancer types where exercise may even help in treating the cancer itself.
A new 17-minute film, Moving through Cancer, presents in a simple, and engaging format the evidence-based research that underlies the global exercise is medicine movement. The film also inspires through introduction of exercise oncology programs and features patients and cancer survivors – including members of the IBCPC Copenhagen-based dragon boat team.
The film is produced by a non-profit organization called the Fund for Sustainable Tomorrows, in collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine. Filmmaker Shari Annes, became aware of the exercise is medicine movement, and the breast cancer dragon boat phenomenon after she lost her husband to pancreatic cancer. Having decided that the role of exercise in cancer therapy was not well understood by most cancer patients, their families, and in some cases, their caretakers, she raised funds to make a movie that would present model programs as well as inspire patients to get moving. Ironically, the week before her first scheduled shoot, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“In the process of exploring this momentum-gaining movement, I was privileged to meet exercise is medicine movers and shakers, including preeminent exercise oncology researcher Dr. Kathryn Schmitz as well as Kira Blomquist, who beyond her research, initiated the establishment of the Copenhagen Dragon Boat Team. It was their inspiration that got me moving literally and figuratively. I’m living proof, that walking every day spared me the side effects of chemo, surgery, and radiation.“ The film is narrated by ice skating legend and three-time cancer survivor Scott Hamilton, who still skates at age 65 and says, “The bottom line is, just get moving.”
The film may be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/vtA1R87lkv8. There are no costs involved; it may be downloaded for use in clinics, private practices, and the link may even posted on websites as well as shared in social media or in newsletters.
Shari’s only request, beyond sharing it globally, is that individuals who use the film let her know how they’ve used it. Her email is sannes@annesassociates.com and her phone is +1 650 888 0902. Download requests must be sent to Shari as YouTube is not set up to download.
