(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Marivie Alabanza |
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Every October, Qatar joins the global effort to raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Several campaigns strive to amplify awareness about breast cancer as the disease has a significant presence in the country, constituting 31 percent of cases in women.
In Doha, various community groups are stepping up to rally support for this crucial cause. Among these groups stands the Doha Wireless Warriors (DWW), a dragon boat team comprised of cancer survivors created in November 2014. The passionate endeavour began just three weeks after its founder, Sandee Thompson, underwent a bilateral mastectomy to battle breast cancer.
Sandee Thompson, founder of Doha Wireless Warriors (front, 3rd right) with some members and supporters. (Pic by: Alexander Raphael Binay)
While the team's immediate triumph is in their ongoing celebration of life, the DWW also hopes to win on the water this year as they prepare to compete in the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta in Malaysia from October 27 to November 5.
The DWW has set its sights on this international race with a unique mission - to raise awareness of breast cancer and advocate for the health benefits of dragon boating.
“Most of the time, the team paddles for community to gain personal strength. It's a safe place to be, and we paddle as much as we can. The pumping action from dragon boating helps the lymph system move and drain, promoting health as well as building the paddlers' strength and overall fitness,” Thompson, a two-time breast cancer survivor, told The Peninsula.
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“And this year we have enough interested and stronger paddlers to race internationally again. The last time we raced as a team was pre-Covid in Tbilisi, Georgia, and this time we're off to Sarawak in Borneo, Malaysia to paddle in races set for cancer survivors. We registered for the senior and women races.” 18 members are gearing up for the journey: 10 survivors and eight supporters. Joining them in Sarawak is another formidable Qatar racing team, Onslaught, along with their founder, Alex Tubar, who will guide the DWW paddlers through the cancer races as their helmsman.
As they race, they plan to chant their motivating mantra: 'Rule number one? Have FUN!'“We plan to chant our usual cheer as we glide past Malaysian, UAE, and other dragon boat teams participating. It would be fabulous to win a medal for the cancer survivors in Qatar. However, we believe we have already won the prize by still being alive and healthy enough to paddle and race,” said Thompson.
Two months of rigorous training, with three sessions each week, have prepared DWW for the competition. Securing funding presented its own set of hurdles, especially considering the recent purchase of a small dragon boat in collaboration with another team. Nonetheless, the team members dipped into their savings to make it happen.
“Sponsorships remain a goal for the future, but for now, the experience promises to be worth every bit of sacrifice. The cancer and women races will take place from October 27 to 29, and we will return to Doha on the 30th, hopefully with medals in hand.” Upon their return, DWW plans to continue their usual routine in November, welcoming new members to their fold with plans to compete locally and internationally.
“We want people to see that they can be strong during and after treatment and that they are not alone. Everyone is welcome to join our team - breast cancer and other cancer survivors, as well as supporters and community members.” While winning races is certainly a goal, DWW's mission is to keep the racing team alive and to spread the message that by paddling together, they can conquer challenges and that life thrives after a cancer diagnosis.
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