Limerick club gives ‘freedom’ to cancer survivors
A FILM premiere will see members of a local paddling club talk about how being on the water helped them feel “freedom” after surviving breast cancer.
A collection of short films and audio pieces, ‘Wellness on the Water,’ will feature the challenges and triumphs faced by six members of the Shannon Dragons, a dragon boat club for breast cancer survivors, friends and supporters.
Made by Shannon Dragons in conjunction with the Living and Learning Communities Project and Grey Heron Media Company, the premiere will take place at Castle Oaks Hotel in Castleconnell, on March 31 at 7.30pm - and will welcome attendees to “discover the transformative power of paddling with a mighty crew.”
With their dragon boat teams, Shannon Dragons aims to support the recovery, health and wellbeing of breast cancer survivors (BCS). The initiative is dedicated to providing paddling, coaching and training to BCS and their friends.
“Shannon Dragons would like to thank you for your support over the years since our foundation. As a voluntary organisation with charitable status, we rely on the generosity of friends and supporters to enable us to remain viable,” said a spokesperson for the club.
Speaking of her experience with the club in a short video, member of the Shannon Dragons, Kathleen O’Donnell, commented:
“I will never forget the feeling that I had when I got on the boat. Freedom to switch off from all those worries that you had at home.”
Whatever happened before you left, doesn't matter any more. Just this is your time. You didn't know who had cancer, it's not that we're all sitting around talking about surgeries or recovery or, you know, it would come up every now and then, but just as a normal conversation,” she stated.