Getting to Know You: Brenda Mahoney

Brenda has been coming to AHCC since 2019.  She occasionally lends her musical talents to the choir and worship services. She and her daughter Michelle live in Mt. Washington. Brenda lost her husband Michael to cancer in 2021.

Brenda is also the daughter of a minister. Her family moved around a lot when she was growing up as a result of her father’s ministerial appointments. She came to Cincinnati in 1975 and was a Montessori teacher for many years. She retired in 2008.

In 2006 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and as a result, through a friend of a coworker, she was led into the interesting sport of Dragon Boating, specifically for cancer patients after their treatments.

Dragon Boating is a modern sport with ancient roots. It began as a religion over 2,000 years ago among superstitious villagers in China whose main object of worship was the dragon.  It is now the fastest growing water sport in the world, and is a sport in over 60 countries.

In 1995 Dr. Don McKenzie, a professor of sports medicine in Vancouver, BC. began looking into a way to help individuals return to an unrestricted and active lifestyle following breast cancer treatment. Although earlier post-treatment recommendations were to avoid strenuous upper body activity, Dr. McKenzie’s research showed that there were many health benefits from dragon boat training.

Brenda’s team, the Kentucky Thorough-Breasts Dragon Boat Team, became a reality in 2008, with the support of Three Rivers District Health Department, and a grant from the Lexington Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The team offers camaraderie and fitness to breast cancer survivors and supporters.

The International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) now boasts 316 teams across 37 countries with 15,000 paddlers.

Brenda’s team consists of 40+ members ranging in age from 30’s to 70’s. They paddle a 20 person dragon boat with the addition of a drummer, who keeps the cadence for the paddlers, and a steerperson, who keeps the boat going in the right direction and hopefully from tipping over. They meet for practice every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning weather permitting from April through October at A. J. Jolly Park in Alexandria, KY.

In June of this year, Brenda’s team participated in the Dragon Boat Festival at False Creek in Vancouver, BC. Two highlights of the festival for Brenda and her team were the EYE Dotting ceremony and the Flower Ceremony. The Eye Dotting ceremony is usually performed by a Taoist Priest or an event dignitary. Dots are painted on the eyes of the dragons to awaken the dragon ending his slumber so they can avert misfortune and bring rain, luck and prosperity.

The flower ceremony tradition began in 1996 in Vancouver when a paddler picked bright pink roses from her garden to give to fellow paddlers to toss into the water after a race as a way to honor a member who couldn’t participate. Soon thereafter pink roses and carnations and an emotional and empowering ceremony evolved into an inspiring tradition within the dragon boat community.

Dragon boats carrying breast cancer survivors – each holding a flower – are rafted together in the water just off-shore so families, friends and other spectators can also join in from land. While the teams are joined together, a speaker offers heartfelt remarks about celebrating the lives of survivors, offering hope for those currently battling the disease, and honoring those who have passed. Typically, music is played while paddlers raise their flowers above their heads, swaying in time to the music. Then, a signal is given to toss the flowers simultaneously into the water.

It is a beautiful, respectful and unifying experience that strengthens the special bond of support across the globe.

The 501c3 Paddling for Cancer Awareness sponsors the Kentucky Thorough–Breasts and the Dragon Boat Festival that will be held on Saturday, September 7 – 7:30am – 3;00pm at A. J. Jolly Park located at 1501 Race Track Road, Alexandria, KY 41001. Come see Brenda and her team paddle their Dragon Boat!