Photo of Cassie, Australia Flag Bearer for the opening ceremony, with
Carmel (aged 89), Australian Flag Bearer for the closing ceremony.
Dragons Abreast Brisbane (Missabittatitti)
I joined Dragons Abreast Brisbane (DAB) and joined more than 4,500 breast cancer survivors and supporters who came together for the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC) Participatory Festival in the picturesque town of Aix-les-Bains in the South of France in August… and what a week it was!
This was my first event since joining DAB, and it certainly did not disappoint. After finishing treatment in October last year, the last thing I imagined I would be doing twelve months later was paddling alongside 4,499 other amazing and inspiring women and supporters and carrying the Australian flag as the youngest paddling survivor from Australia.
The festival was a wonderful reminder of how great life can be after cancer. It brings together exercise, wellness and connection, while creating a space to celebrate everyone who has travelled their own journey through breast cancer.
I wasn’t prepared for the emotions I would feel throughout the week, particularly during the Flowers on the Water ceremony. It was a beautiful and moving way to honour those who have sadly left us, while also recognising the individual journeys of everyone there and celebrating where we are today.
This week was a celebration of resilience, friendship, life after cancer and the incredible people who make this community so special.
