Pink Dragon Ladies celebrate 20th anniversary
TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) — The Pink Dragon Ladies, Tampa Bay’s first cancer survivor dragon boat team, will be celebrating their 20th anniversary on Saturday, April 27, at the Tampa International Dragon Boat Festival at Bahama Breeze—Rocky Point Lagoon.
The day-long celebration kicks off with thrilling dragon boat races featuring a variety of teams, including cancer survivors, community teams, senior teams, and mixed teams. At mid-day, the festival will host a special flower ceremony to honor those who have lost their battle with cancer.
The anniversary festivities will conclude with a celebration at Whiskey Joe’s, bringing together 200 dragon boat paddlers and supporters from across the state and the world. Among the attendees are Florida cancer survivor dragon boat teams and representatives from the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission.
Food, music, and camaraderie will be the hallmarks of the evening, with plenty of opportunities for attendees to connect and share their experiences. Since their founding in 2004 by Moffitt Cancer Center’s breast cancer support office, the Pink Dragon Ladies have offered “support through sport” to more than 350 women in the Tampa Bay area at all stages of their cancer journey. They also take pride in watching new cancer survivor teams emerge in Florida, giving the state the largest number of such teams in the country.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Pink Dragon Ladies are run entirely by volunteers dedicated to renewing the spirit and strength of women living with cancer. The team believes that recovery from cancer isn’t just physical; it’s also about the mind. Paddling with the Pink Dragon Ladies offers a life-affirming experience that fosters healing, hope, and support for cancer survivors at any stage of recovery. The team provides a welcoming environment where members can connect, share experiences, and support each other throughout their cancer treatment and beyond.
Beyond the water, the Pink Dragon Ladies are committed to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, providing organized opportunities for physical fitness with wellness education, and cultivating a community that encourages personal empowerment among female cancer survivors. They also give back to the Tampa Bay community through philanthropic outreach projects, volunteering with organizations like Toys for Tots, Faces of Courage, WEDU public broadcasting, the Gasparilla Music Festival, Metropolitan Ministries, and Feeding Tampa Bay.
For more information on the Pink Dragon Ladies’ 20th anniversary celebration or to learn more about the team, contact Rosanne Wrage at rkwrage@hotmail.com or 727-709-3770. You can also visit their website at www.pinkdragonladies.org.
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