Contact Us:

https://www.facebook.com/Mammoglams

Tel: 814-244-0664

Email: bcscaptain@gmail.com

WE NEVER GIVE UP

May 28

Cheesecake, figs, and pinot noir.

Pictured here are

our Founders,

Marty & Jeri Millard.

Jeri (left) is the

Founder and CEO of

In the Pink,

a local non-profit caring

for cancer patients.

She raised money for our

dragon boats to start our

team to support breast

cancer patients.

Marty (right) is our Head Coach

and a decorated Team USA member since 2015.

Who Are We?

Our team is part of a club called the

Jacksonville Dragon Boat Club (JDBC). Within the club, there are teams for everyone...

male, female, co-ed, breast cancer, etc.

The Mammoglams team is a group of breast cancer survivors ranging in age from 35-75 years. We are in all stages of survivorship. Some are just beginning their journey, while others completed treatment long ago.

Dragon Boating provides an environment to support each other, as well as the courage to keep moving forward

and improve our health…physically and mentally.

Our team began in 2012 as a support group provided by In the Pink, a local non-profit for women with cancer.

We call ourselves a "floating" support group.

Many of our original paddlers are still on the team!

Our team grew in strength and spirit in 2023. After world competition in New Zealand in April 2023, we are now ranked 13th in the world among breast cancer teams. We also won a berth to compete in Italy in September, 2024 in the breast cancer division.

This has brought a lot of excitement to our team!

May 28

Cheesecake, figs, and pinot noir.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION TO BREAST CANCER?

Dr. Don McKenzie, an Exercise Physiologist in Canada, thought that upper-body exercise might benefit breast cancer survivors by improving the lymphatic system.

He began research and trained the first group of breast cancer survivors to compete in the 1996 World Dragon Boat championships.

Now there are teams on all continents that compete all over the world! Florida currently has ten teams.

WHAT IS A
DRAGON BOAT?

A 42-foot long canoe with ten rows of two paddlers (20 paddlers total), a drummer in front facing the paddlers, and a steersperson in back guiding the boat.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE TO JOIN THE TEAM?

No, the training in the boat will help get you into shape for this sport. It is essential that your doctor approves of you participating in an exercise program.

You will find that paddling helps you feel better, physically and emotionally. As a group of people with similar experiences, it is helpful to have friends that can provide the support we need

as survivors.

CAN I TRY THIS OUT BEFORE I DECIDE TO JOIN THE TEAM?

Yes. We encourage you to paddle a few times before deciding. Your first three paddles are free.

Once you join, the fee is $40 per month, which covers the boats, paddles, training center, insurance, coaching and pfd's (lifevests). We never want someone not to participate on our team due to money issues, so don't worry. If you feel you wouldn't be able to pay right now, you can talk privately with the team Captains and you will not be expected to pay. It's that simple!

We hope you will come give it a try. We have lots of fun together and many of our significant others and family members paddle on our other teams in the club.