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This year’s Pink and Powerful Walk was blessed with a gorgeous fall day for the folks at Hope Afloat to conduct their 3rd annual staging of the breast cancer awareness event.
Last year’s endeavor found Mother Nature in a bad mood as torrential rains pounded the intrepid souls who ventured out to show their fortitude and resolve despite the dreary weather conditions that presented themselves that day.
With crisp temperatures and clear blue skies in vogue this year, the registration table was working overtime to accommodate the slew of participants who wanted to show their support for the cause and march shoulder to shoulder with the breast cancer survivors who represent the Hope Afloat organization.
Upwards of 150 pink clad walkers could be seen making their way down the Ridge after embarking from the organizing pavilion at the Pearlman Sports Complex. Hope Afloat VP, Sabrina Nansteel-Bunt, and her fellow crew members ran a seamless operation, starting with arranging a spectacular day to setting up, cleaning up and all the little details in between to pull off a first-class event without a hitch.
In addition to generating revenue through registration fees, a sizable chunk of change also made its way into the tills through the outstanding array of donated goody-filled baskets and other contributions that were raffled off.
A few of the noteworthy donations came from Nan Glasgow, Patti Nansteel, Beth Mazur, Wawa, Giant, Manatawy Creek Winery, and Wegmans.
Nan Glasgow was also instrumental in making the abundance of signs with Pink awareness slogans that fellow members helped to decorate.
The wonderful scones that participants raved about and other mouth-watering delectables came courtesy of the fine folks at High Point Café.
For the record, I only took three scones …ok, maybe it was four!
The Hope Afloat organization is a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors whose mission is to help each other reclaim healthy, joyful lives.
Dragon boat racing is derived from an ancient Chinese sport that has its origins to nearly 2,500 years ago.
Over the years it eventually made its way to the Western world.
Its popularity has risen to the point that many people across the globe believe it merits being an Olympic sport.
Hope Afloat can trace its roots to 2001 when they began competitive racing and are the oldest breast cancer survival team in Philadelphia.
They focus on having a good time while regaining and maintaining each member’s strength, stamina, emotional well-being, and overall health.
They engage in competition at many levels (regional, national, and international) and spread the word wherever they go inspiring other survivors to lead full and active lives.
Studies have proven that dragon boat racing can be an effective tool in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer survivors and that physical exertion and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, in general, can lower the risk of developing breast cancer and other diseases from the outset.
Hope Afloat members stress outreach to the community while raising awareness for screenings and self-examination as critical weapons in the fight against this dreaded affliction.
The group is a non-profit organization and are registered as a Pa. Charity. To learn more about the Hope Afloat team and their mission, visit www.HopeAfloatUSA.org.
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