Cobh woman Helen McCauley was diagnosed with cancer in her lymph nodes and breast in 2010. Then 36, Helen had a lumpectomy and underwent 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation.
She survived, and soon found herself paddling with the Cork Dragons, a dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors, friends and families.
Dragon boats are 46 feet long and sit teams of 20 rowers plus a drummer in the front and someone to steer the boat at the rear.
Every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm and Saturday morning at 10:00 am the Cork Dragons take to the water outside Cork City’s Clarion Hotel.
Last weekend the group made waves at their first Regatta at the Grand Canal in Dublin.
The Cork team brought home silver in the breast cancer survivors race and finished 9 overall out of 30 teams.
Helen told the Frontpagenews.ie “the team works as a support group, the members on the team know a thing or two about rallying each other on.”
Currently the group are looking for a Club House. They have the use of Meitheal Maras’ Dragon boats while they save for their own.
Cost of the Hawaii 50 style boats are between €14,000 to €16,000.
Anyone wishing to join the group can contact them through their face book page Cork Dragons or through their web site www.corkdragons.com