About Us
We are a Toronto-based team of
breast cancer paddlers.
Dragons Abreast (DA) is an exercise program for breast cancer survivors in the form of a dragon boat team. A not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to improving the fitness and quality of life for survivors. Our mission is:
To encourage
those living with breast cancer to lead full and active lives
To demonstrate
the overwhelming benefits of exercise for those recovering from breast cancer
To raise awareness
about breast cancer and the fact that there are many people living full and active lives following breast cancer
From diagnosis to dragon.
Every one of us has had their own personal breast cancer journey, but each of our roads have led us here, to Dragons Abreast. Now, we share in each other’s way forward, through recovery, regular exercise, and of course, races. We do love our hardware!
Our team now has over 80 members, with both paddling and non-paddling members. We meet on the water for practice several times a week during the summer race season, and weekly during the off season. We participate in competitions locally, and all over the world. We take part in fundraisers for breast cancer related causes (more on this below). We also organize regular team social events, getting together to try something new (curling or axe throwing anyone?), attend shows and events, or just to eat and socialize.
Above all, we work to promote dragon boating as part of a healthy lifestyle and unique support for people diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s what it means to become a dragon.
Inclusivity & Land Acknowledgement
We are determined to keep our community fully inclusive for people of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, differing abilities, ethnic origins and economic circumstances. We are a diverse group of people who have shared a life-changing experience, and the dragon boat is a symbol of our survivor-ship and strength. By taking part in this challenging, yet gratifying sport, we strive to achieve our personal best in hopes of empowering and inspiring others who are going through this journey.
We acknowledge that we paddle on the traditional lands and waters of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. We are grateful to live and paddle here.
Our History
After meeting members of Abreast In A Boat in Vancouver, B.C., Eleanor Nielsen founded Dragons Abreast, the world’s second dragon boating team for breast cancer paddlers, in 1997. Early in the team recruitment process, she was joined by Rose Jones and Marilyn Schneider, who helped steer the early years. Thirty-three eager novices made up the first team, and it wasn’t long before there were enough members for two crews. The goal of the team, according to Nielsen, is to demonstrate that there is life after breast cancer.
Over the years, Dragons Abreast Toronto has competed in regattas across Canada, in New York City and Australia. Team members have paddled in cities such as Shanghai, Singapore, Cape Town, Rome, Venice, Florence, Szeged, Hungary, the Bahamas, and Panama City.
Our members also helped pioneer and spread the sport and today there are over 300 breast cancer paddler (BCP) teams worldwide. The benefits of improved physical fitness and the support of teammates has helped the sport of dragon boat racing capture the imagination and spirit of breast cancer survivors around the world.
Did you know?
Dragon boating has been medically proven to reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer? (Plus, it’s a boatload of fun.) Learn more about dragon boating and its health benefits.
Getting awarded for giving hope.
Eleanor Nielsen has made a major contribution to the development of the sport of dragon boating for people diagnosed with breast cancer, both in Canada and internationally. In 2009, she was awarded a Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, with the citation saying Nielson had “given hope to thousands of women”.
Raising money for breast cancer
is in DA’s DNA.
A big part of Dragon Abreast’s purpose is to provide survivors with a strong message of hope, inspiration and encouragement. That’s why the DA team has come together over the years to raise money and awareness for other breast cancer initiatives and charities. For many of us, it’s a way of giving back for the care and support we received through our cancer journeys.
Almost $25,000 raised.
In 2002, Eleanor wrote the foreword to the book How to Ride a Dragon: Women With Breast Cancer Tell Their Stories, written by her friend Michelle Tocher. Michelle was inspired by Eleanor’s dream to relate the experiences of breast cancer survivors who had taken up the sport of dragon boating. The book was an immediate success, and Dragons Abreast donated close to $25,000.00 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative from the proceeds.
A second edition of How to Ride a Dragon was published in 2011 and proceeds from this edition were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Over $20,000 raised.
In 2017, Dragons Abreast celebrated its 20 year anniversary by paddling the last 100 km of the Rideau Canal by dragon boat, arriving in Ottawa for Canada Day 150. The six-day voyage was also a fundraiser, raising over $20,000 for Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto. Eleanor Nielsen said that Gilda’s was chosen because it’s important that “we never forget that we are some of the fortunate ones travelling the breast cancer journey. It is an honour to raise money in Gilda’s name, so no one has to face cancer alone.”
$38,300 raised.
2022 marked our 25th anniversary. To honour this milestone, as well as our teammates lost to breast cancer, the team paddled nearly 125 km of the Trent-Severn Waterway from Bobcaygeon to Rice Lake. Our fundraising target for this adventure was an ambitious $25,000, with all funds going to the Breast Cancer Support Fund (BCSF). BCSF provides important short-term financial assistance to patients struggling with the financial burden of expenses while in treatment so they can focus on getting well.
With the help of our many supporters, not only did we accomplish the 125 km paddle, our fundraising efforts were extraordinary – the total raised for BCSF was an incredible $38,300!
Over $27,000 raised.
DA members regularly participate in the CIBC Run for the Cure every October. In 2023, we teamed up with fellow Toronto BCP team Pink Crusaders raising over $27,000.
Our Sponsors and Partners
As a not-for-profit, member-run team, we rely on the generosity of our sponsors, partners, and supporters to keep the team paddling. We can’t thank them enough!
