5th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Vendor Fair
This month, the West Island Dragons hosted our 5th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Vendor Fair, and what a success it was!
A huge thank you goes out to our teammate and EC Sponsorship Director, Angela Iliopoulos, who once again led all the organizing and vendor coordination. Thanks to her experience and dedication, this event continues to grow every year and has become a highlight for both our team and the community.
When we first launched the fair, funds were shared between local organizations and our team. As international festivals became part of our journey, we shifted our focus to fundraising exclusively for our team; ensuring that every paddler who wants to participate can do so without financial strain.
Each year, the event features a 50/50 draw and a raffle table, which together raise a significant portion of our funds. Every vendor donates an item to the raffle, and team members gather additional contributions: from gift cards to larger prizes from local businesses. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets and choose the items they’d like a chance to win.
We also run a food drive in support of On Rock Community Shares. For every three non-perishable food items donated, guests receive a free raffle ticket, a small way to give back while supporting our neighbors in need.
At our team table, members showcase their creativity: the crafters craft, the bakers bake, and this year we added Kootenay breast cancer mittens.
Many vendors also contribute by donating a portion of their sales or creating exclusive event items that support our fundraising efforts. Several return year after year, sharing that the event is both meaningful and inspiring.
We were also joined by Élégante Forme, an organization that provides vital support to cancer patients through mastectomy bras, prosthetics, wigs, and specialty clothing.
Throughout the day, team members volunteer to speak to the crowd, sharing their personal cancer journeys, what led them to dragon boating, and how this community has transformed their lives. Their words remind everyone that there is life after cancer, a life where we continue to push our bodies, set new goals, lift one another up, and celebrate the joy of doing it together.
