Survivor, dragon boat racer shares inspiration in book

Local dragon boat racer writes the first chapter to a book published nationally by the Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing LLC in Knoxville, Tenn. The first printing was sold out and will be reprinted as orders are coming in.

Summary of the book, “Reaching for Life,” Breast Cancer Survivors and the Sport of Dragon Boat Racing is a series of stories from women across the United States who share their experiences with both cancer and dragon boat racing. In this sport, one of the key elements of paddling is “reaching” forward with your paddle to pull the maximum amount of water possible on each of your strokes. This image provides one with a wonderful metaphor of exploring the relationship between this sport and breast cancer survivors who participate.

Peggy Anderson of Duluth, wrote the first chapter, Hope in Every Moment. Anderson became a breast cancer survivor in 2004 and tells about her experiences with being on the Survivor Sistership team, then starting their own Many Faces of Breast Cancer. Anderson talks about the sport itself, the words to Kim Storm’s song, money raised locally for breast cancer, the amount of money she has raised for the dragon boat races, help raise for other major cancer events in the region, and a poem she read at the dragon boat races last year. Anderson tells how the Dragon Boat races became the SMDC charity fundraiser. She tells why the sport is of benefit for breast cancer survivors. There are several regional people, other teams, and organizations in her chapter of the book.

To purchase a book e-mail Penny at penny@dragonboats.com or call Peggy Anderson for an order form at (218) 525-1905.

Tags: dragon boat, community, superior, cancer, family