THIS is survivorship!

Aug 9 2025 - after practice  Diagnosed 30 years ago, there were no support systems outside of a hospital setting.  I knew no one my age diagnosed with breast cancer.  Linda McCartney has just died of the disease, and I was feeling the effects of chemotherapy, bald as an eagle and in the middle of a huge pity-pat party.  I wandered down to the waterfront in Portland Oregon, where I lived at the time. It happened to be Rose Festival Weekend and there was a Dragon boat Festival out on the Willamette River.  Across the river were 3 boats of women all in PINK.   I learned they were Pink Phoenix and they were all breast cancer survivors.   These strong women taught me so much (you know who I am talking about....Dorothy, Connie, Carolyn, Nancy, Ann) .  I credit this ancient sport and these women for defining what survivorship looks like and giving me a purpose.

30 years later, I have the honor of being one of the founding members of Dallas United PINK!  We are the first all Breast Cancer Paddling team in North Texas and currently have 39 members on our roster.  We are incredibly blessed to be a part of Dallas United Crew, who is known in this community for its “giving back to the community”  spirit and to paddle alongside Dallas DeLite (coed paddlers) who help coach, encourage  and inspire us.   

Your generosity in past has enabled us to keep up with the needs of our ever growing team and the equipment required to keep us safe on the water.   This year, not only will we raise funds to support our growing survivor group but we are looking for ways to help support others within our larger (DUC) organization impacted by cancer.   

This is what survivorship looks like.   That is what GIVING looks like

A donation of any amount will help us reach our goal.  

You can learn more about us a https://ducpink.org     

Debbie