Registration for the 25th annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival opened today.
The event will feature dragon boat races, artisan and food vendors, a family fun zone, and a beer garden. This year’s fundraising goal is $325, 018.01, with funds going to the PRHC Foundation.
Festival Chair Michelle Thornton says the number isn’t just a random figure; each digit has meaning. “To mark our 25th anniversary, we have increased last year’s goal by 25%. Coincidently, that comes to $325k, which is representative of the 2 out of 5 Canadians who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. As always, we want to raise awareness about breast cancer, so the 18 is for the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and the .01 is the percentage of men who will also face a breast cancer diagnosis”
Thornton added, “But most importantly, what’s raised here, stays here. By paddling together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of family, friends and neighbours in our region, who are facing this rotten disease.”
Last year, the festival raised $400,104.01, bringing the total donated to PRHC to more than $4.9 million. The event, hosted by Survivors Abreast Peterborough, has been a community staple since 2001. Janice James, President of Survivors Abreast, said the festival focuses on breast cancer awareness and supporting PRHC: “We know first hand the importance of the work the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHCF) does, and their continuing mission to bring the best cancer care the world has to offer, right here to our hospital.”
The first three teams to register will receive a complimentary dragon boat lake practice. Registration is available at ptbodragonboat.ca.
