Abreast in Australia 2007 - Here Comes Townsville!
July 2007
Paddling off the Strand in our tropical paradise
(above) Walking in the QLD Cancer Funds Relay for Life with our banner of our mascot Mazu (the dragon)
(above) safety training session in a controlled environment (the rock pool)
In accordance with the aims of the National Dragons Abreast organisation, Twin Titties seeks to help people with a diagnosis of breast cancer understand they can lead full and active lives despite the physical limitations imposed by breast surgery. We do this through encouraging women to “achieve their dream” in regaining an active, adventurous lifestyle despite a diagnosis of breast cancer. Through our activities we seek to promote breast cancer awareness in the community by being a face to the breast cancer statistics and promoting early detection and diagnosis. We take our role of promoting breast cancer awareness very seriously through creative media events, participation in QLD Cancer Fund initiatives and networking with community organisations to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Twin Titties are fast approaching our second birthday having formed in August 2004. Since that time we have grown in numbers as well as confidence in terms of dragon boat paddling. As with so many groups around Australia Twin Titties is filling a niche for breast cancer survivors to try something new, challenge themselves, meet wonderful new people and have lots of fun. The camaraderie and support is evident every time we get together to paddle work out at the gym or on social occasions.
Since forming our group almost two years ago we have purchased our own dragon boat and we paddle every Saturday morning on the beautiful Townsville Strand, where dolphins or turtles are not an uncommon sight.
Our boat was purchased as a result of fund raising efforts and a donation from our major sponsor the Mater Hospital Townsville. Owning our own boat means that we can take it out whenever we want to paddle. At present this is every Saturday morning however as the group grows in numbers we will have to introduce additional sessions. At present paddlers go for breakfast/coffee after paddling each Saturday morning at a local café on the Strand. This is a great time to socialise and catch up with new friends.
We have a gym training session every Wednesday evening at the Mater Hospital Cardiac Rehab gym. The trained gym staff put us through our paces with a combination of aerobics and resistance exercise. Members can take part for a gold coin donation each week. We encourage all members to take part regardless of physical fitness level. We recommend that you speak to gym staff about your individual physical ability and tailor a gym program to suit you.
In February 2006 survivor and supporter members of Twin Titties travelled to Sydney to take part in the Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Regatta on Darling Harbour. This was our debut competitive paddling event and all who took part had a fantastic time. We built our confidence as paddlers but most of all we had fun and made contact with so many wonderful women survivors from around Australia.
We are now starting our planning and training for the Abreast in Australia 2007 on the Sunshine Coast. This will be a very exciting event and we feel one of many such opportunities available to breast cancer survivors not just from Townsville but from all around Australia thanks to the ever expanding organisation of Dragons Abreast in this country.
We also become involved in local activities such as the Queensland Cancer Fund’s annual Relay for Life. Apart for raising money for cancer research these activities are great fun. We have formed a craft group and are planning a social weekend away. Our focus is to enjoy life to the fullest, build our fitness, make friends and promote breast cancer awareness.
We welcome all those interested in finding out more about Twin Titties to make contact. We may have you out paddling on the water in no time!
Paddling Session: Saturday Morning 7- 7.30amam, for 7.30- 8am push off from the beach
Saturday morning paddling is followed by breakfast/coffee at a local café on the Strand
