The Organization

Prairie Dragon Paddlers is an Illinois not-for-profit organization based in Champaign-Urbana. Founded in 2015 by Kelly Bradham, the organization’s purpose is to inspire hope and contribute to the health and well-being of breast cancer survivors through the sport of dragon boating.

PDP operates a recreational and competitive dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors, as well as sponsors programs that promote wellness and camaraderie, funds breast cancer research, and supports survivorship. During organized racing competitions throughout the Midwest and at international festivals, the team participates in the official breast cancer survivor (BCS) division. 

The ancient sport of dragon boating has been shown to be very beneficial to breast cancer survivorship, both physically and mentally.

Dragon boating for breast cancer survivors emerged after Dr. Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician at the University of British Columbia, debunked the widely held belief that repetitive upper-body exercise in breast cancer survivors can lead to lymphedema (a swelling in the arms and/or legs caused by the removal of or damage to lymph nodes during treatment). He believed that following a special exercise and training program would not increase the risk, but would actually improve quality of life. To test his hypothesis, he launched “Abreast in a Boat” in 1996, the first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team that ultimately proved the validity of his theory. Since then, hundreds of breast cancer survivors across the world have formed dragon boat teams and are paddling and racing regularly—promoting good health, individual and group empowerment, and breast cancer awareness. An emerging body of research suggests physical activity not only has a positive effect on quality of life following a diagnosis of cancer, but it may also improve survival.

Prairie Dragon Paddlers is governed by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by an executive director and a coach.