A team of more than 20 employees from the University of Vermont participated in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival at Waterfront Park on Aug. 2, raising thousands of dollars for wellness programs in support of breast cancer survivors.
“Paddling for Groovy UV” finished among the top 10 teams in fundraising for Dragonheart Vermont – a dragon boat organization that supports breast cancer survivors – and Survivorship NOW that offers free cancer wellness programs for cancer survivors in the local community. With donations still being accepted, UVM currently ranks 7th out of 50 teams with $2,420 raised.
Dressed in tie-dyed apparel and peace-sign glasses, the UVM team won the award for best costume and was the top fundraiser among Vermont universities and colleges. UVM President Tom Sullivan sponsored the team in response to a challenge from Champlain College President Donald Laackman for all Vermont institutions of higher education to participate, along with local businesses, non-profits, service groups and members of the community.
“The Dragon boat 2015 Festival is an amazingly wonderful event that offered the chance for breast cancer survivor dragon boaters to get together and share great times after having endured very tough times,” said team member Marjorie Dunki-Jacobs, administrative assistant in the Department of Leadership and Developmental Sciences. “While we had a great day racing on the water, when it comes down to it, it's all about the support of sisterhood and why we are there in the first place.”
Following the singing of an emotional song by event participants, flowers were released on Lake Champlain by breast cancer survivors with the Adirondak mountains silhouetted in the background.
“The strength of the participants was obvious to all. It was an absolute time-stop moment of bliss, serenity, healing, and camaraderie with all of us united to support this cause,” said Dunki-Jacobs, who credited Pam Blum, assistant dean for finance and administration in the College of Education and Social Services, with putting together the UVM team.