'Tears were flowing': Rowbust Dragonboat Festival honours women who recently passed from breast cancer
It was an emotional day on the water.
“There were a lot of hugs, and support as well as remembering,” says Pat Wocks, a member of the Rowbust Dragonboat Team.
Tears were flowing at Fanshawe Lake as the Rowbust drag boat team held a flower ceremony to honour those who have passed due to Breast cancer.
They included two of their own who passed away a day apart in late May.
“The last two weeks have been really, really hard for us and we lost our coach the last two weeks and a teammate so you know it's bittersweet,” says Linda Kuska, Rowbust captain.
Bev Jorgensen joined Rowbust in 2018 and was described as someone with an intense work ethic and love for fitness.
Members of Rowbust Dragonboat Team throw flowers in Fanshawe Lake as part of a ceremony to honour teammates who recently passed away in London, Ont. on Saturday, June 10 2023 (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
Coach Sarah Shelland was a world champion, but to Rowbust, she was family.
She joined the team as a coach with partner Cheryl McLachlan.
“After a year long battle with a terminal illness Osteosarcoma, we had the 24-hour surgery at Mount Sinai, came out well the doctor was pleased but Sarah’s body was angry and it was her time,” says McLachlan.
Saturday’s 10th annual event had 48 community teams, 1,200 participants and nearly 1,000 spectators.
Over the past decade this festival has raised over $100,000 for the breast cancer patient fund and regional cancer program at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
The annual Rowbust Dragonboat Festival has raised over $100,00 for breast cancer in London, Ont. on Saturday, June 10, 2023 (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
“That helps with wigs, transportation, childcare, medications, prosthesis and things that people out local community can’t afford” says Kuska.
While the emotions were fresh, these women pushed on like they’ve done many times before over the years.
“This is the hardest one I’ll ever do,” says McLachlan.
“We’ll feel Sarah and Bev on the water. It’s difficult but they wouldn’t have it any other way.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.