April 2009: Mercer Business Magazine | Non-Profit Profile
The Machestic Dragons
By ANNIE CARRICATO, Team Vice President
New Jersey’s first breast cancer survivors dragon boat team is based right here in Mercer County, NJ. The Machestic Dragons was founded seven years ago in April 2002, the team continues to expand its membership that includes survivors of all ages, their families, friends, and supporters.
This remarkable group of women has the distinction of being alchemists of their own life experience; they have turned a diagnosis of doom into a team of paddlers with pure positive energy. Machestics demonstrate how focusing on what they hope to be manifests by showing up for practices. The Machesti’s prove the power of positive intention works. They are strengthened by one and other and know the pleasure camaraderie provides.
You might have guessed the sport of Dragon Boating is ancient, originating in southern China on the Mi Lo River. As the myth tells us, mourners of a minister/patriot QuYuan who drowned in the river in 278 B.C. began a tradition water event with dragon boats to honor and commemorate his life, the annual festival continues today. Fast forward to 1995 where a Canadian researcher Donald McKenzie, a sports medicine physician at the University of British Columbia thought it counter intuitive for breast cancer survivors to limit upper body exercise to reduce the chance of lymphedema and formed the first breast cancer survivors team. Dr. McKenzie’s thinking was; strenuous upper body exercise increases flexibility and strengthens damaged muscles, his research proved him right. Now thousands of woman in all countries around our world partake in this engaging fast growing sport that empowers their well being.
Symptoms of treatment for breast cancer often include depression and fatigue. This sports positive effect goes beyond the physical. Dragon boating repetitive paddling motion releases endorphins into the blood stream, through vigorous activity the mood of the paddler is lifted as unblocked energy rises from deep within the paddler. The Machestic are able to power their dragon boat forward as the team digs their paddles deep into the water with what seems like oneness personified.
A great way to exercise and be in nature, no experience or athletic ability is needed to join the group. The Machestic’s have an age range from 16 through 75 all sizes and shapes with a commonality; a desire to be out in fresh air raising their energy level and more importantly having fun. If you have a willing spirit and want to share your energy with this remarkable group, you are invited. Training is provided by the team and it’s long time coach Ellen Law.
If you are not familiar with Mercer Lake the Machestic Dragons encourage you to join them for a practice to give you a thrilling experience of paddling quietly (no talking in the boat except on breaks) cutting through the water in synchronization. The team practices 3 times a week April thru October and feel blessed to enjoy this pristine setting.
The Breast Cancer Resource Center @ the YWCA in Princeton is the team’s partner. Each June a Dragon Boat Festival is sponsored by the Machestics, Paddle for Pink an annual fundraiser is held on Mercer Lake, this year the happening takes place on Sunday June 7, 2009. A free to the public community event that includes dragon boat races, ceremonies, live music, entertainment, food, a DJ, and dragon boat rides for the children all to raises monies the the BCRC where there is never a charge for their numerous services provided to those experiencing breast cancer and survivors. Public participation is invited, volunteers are needed. The Machestics, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization welcomes and accepts tax deductable contributions from donors and supporters to help their good work. Corporate and local sponsors help make this festival A National Cancer Survivor Day Event.
The team travels to participate in other festivals around the country, some of the Machestics have ventured as far as Australia to participate in an International Dragon Boat Festival. The sisterhood will venture to Washington D.C. to an international race on the Potomac in May; this event is the opening festival of their '09 season.
The Machestic Dragons' mission statement includes the words: To encourage others to face their own dragons and to look beyond today to a future filled with hope and promise. Terry Coleman, a team member since 2002 and the Machestics president tells us, “This is not a pity team, dragon boating is a great way to show woman that breast cancer doesn’t have to end your life. In our boat you pull for yourself and each other, there are times when we have more to pull for. We don’t just deal with our past cancers but sometimes we are dealing with recurrences. Survivor sports teams such as dragon boating is still on the cutting edge of cancer rehabilitation but for myself, my message is simple, don’t just survive, thrive."
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