Breast of Friends Gala – April 2018
Guy’s Party Center, Akron
Proceeds from the Breast of Friends Gala support the activities of the Dragon Dream Team including our community outreach program Boatloads of Hope offering encouragement and inspiration to survivors and families during their breast cancer journey.
Thank you to everyone who helped make our 2018 Gala a success – we look forward to seeing you at this annual event in 2019!
Rubber Ducks Charity Begins at Home Features
the Dragon Dream Team – May 2018
Canal Park, Akron
The Dragon Dream Team was once again the Rubber Ducks’ “Charity Begins at Home” featured charity at the Rubber Ducks game on May 27 at 6:35 pm. This was also a special Breast Cancer Night at Canal Park. All breast cancer survivors and their families had the opportunity to participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track and receive special recognition on the field. The Dragon Dream Team also had a kayak and stand-up-paddleboard raffle. All proceeds from the raffle and from pre-sale tickets will help the team travel to Florence, Italy this summer to participate in the International Breast Cancer Paddling Commission Dragon Boat Festival.
Thank you to everyone who came out to make the evening a success!
9th Annual Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival on the Niagara River – June 2018
Buffalo, New York
The Dragon Dream Team had an inspiring and successful day at the 9th Annual Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival this year. Team Dream and Team Hope came in 1st and 3rd (respectively) in the Breast Cancer Survivor division races and Team Hope placed 3rd overall in the Women’s Division.
Thank you to all who traveled to Buffalo to support the team and to Buffalo’s BCS team, Hope Chest, for hosting this festival once again.
2018 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival – July 2018
Florence, Italy
The Dragon Dream Team has returned from our thrilling journey to the “Olympics” of Dragon Boat racing in Florence, Italy. With a lot of hard work and support from family, friends, corporate and community sponsors, we paddled with 124 Breast Cancer Survivor teams from all over the world.
DDT sent two competitive teams to the festival: Team Dream and Team Hope. Dream finished first among United States contenders and third among all participants. Team Hope finished 80th, a fantastic accomplishment considering many Team Hope members are new paddlers.
In addition to races, the team participated in a Parade of Nations, an international survivor ceremony and sight-seeing.
Dragons on the Lake Festival – July 2018
Portage Lakes State Park, Akron
A good time was had by all at the 6th Annual Dragons on the Lake Festival on July 28th at Portage Lakes State Park. Over 2000 people were in attendance and some spectators drove from 2 hours away just to watch. There were a total of 37 teams participating, coming from as far away as Buffalo, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Indianapolis, IN and Marietta, OH. We are grateful for the teams who fundraised and brought in a total of $11,000 for the Dragon Dream Team’s Boatloads of Hope Outreach program.
Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, participants and teams for another great festival!
4th Annual Wheeling Dragon Boat Festival – August 2018
Wheeling, West Virginia
The team’s final race of the season was in Wheeling, West Virginia on the Ohio River. Team Dream came in first in the Club Division. Many thanks to team members, family and friends who traveled to beautiful Wheeling to help us close out the racing season.
American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk – October 2018
Lock 3, Downtown Akron
Once again the Dragon Dream Team supported the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Twenty-three members and Coach Allen participated, manning a DDT information table, acting as the Check-In sponsor and participating in the team’s signature pink paddle arch. The team was also recognized during the Opening Ceremony.
3rd Annual Dragon Dream Team Craft & Vendor Market Place –
October 2018
Fairlawn, Akron
Thank you to all who made the Dragon Dream Team’s third annual Craft and Vendor Market Place possible — from team members and their families, to vendors, venue personnel and shoppers.
Cleveland Cavaliers Breast Cancer Awareness Night – October 2018
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
On Wednesday night, October 24th, the Dragon Dream Team was honored during the Breast Cancer Awareness night at the Cavaliers game at Quicken Loans Arena. The boat that took 3rd place at the International Breast Cancer Survivor Dragonboat Festival was honored during the pre-game show and the rest of the Dragon Dream Team had the honor of holding the huge American Flag during the National Anthem.
Dragon Dream Team members participate in many community cancer awareness and fundraising events, including the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the Komen Walk for the Cure and The Gathering Place’s Hope Walk.