About Us
MACHESTIC DRAGONS
The Machestic Dragons (spelled with “chest” rather than Majestic) are New Jersey’s first Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) Dragon Boat Team. Organized in 2001 as the Dragoneers, in 2002 the team incorporated as a 501c(3) non-profit organization as the Princeton Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat Team and in 2014 officially changed our name to the Machestic Dragons.
The “Machestics” are a recreational club team open to all breast cancer survivors (BCS) women and men and non-BCS family members, partners and friends who support our team mission:
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To raise awareness of breast cancer and the benefits of dragon boat paddling
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To show and mentor others who are weakened by the struggle with breast cancer that there is life after this disease
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To encourage and empower ourselves and others to face our dragons with an indomitable spirit and
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To look beyond today to a future filled with hope and promise
The Machestic Dragons are based in central New Jersey and practice on Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park, but draw survivors/members from many communities in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Many share the common experience of breast cancer, but we differ in age (20s through 80s), educational and occupational pursuits, family dynamics, and athletic interests and abilities. We are a “floating support group” sharing a passion for life and the determined dragon spirit with family and friends.
The Machestics enjoy a paddling season April to October with coached practices and festivals. However, membership is a year-round affair, working to support our mission, a fitness program in the winter, social gatherings, nonprofit/business fairs, fundraisers, and our signature event – Paddle for Pink, the second Saturday in June. www.paddleforpink.org
Paddle for Pink is a breast cancer awareness Dragon Boat Festival fundraiser where the proceeds are donated to local breast cancer programs that provide free services to breast cancer patients/survivors. Our first Paddle for Pink in 2007 welcomed 12 teams and has grown to host up to 50 teams from several states. It is a “favorite festival” of many teams!
Hundreds of supporters and survivors have donated their time and talent to The Machestic Dragons organization, we salute all our volunteers that have brought us forward, our contributors, our volunteer Board of Trustees, many committees and staff that keeps us afloat.