Journal
FIVE AMAZING HOPE AFLOAT USA PADDLERS WERE SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE USA IN THE FIRST EVER BREAST CANCER DIVISION OF THE IDBF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GERMANY.
The IDBF World Championships will be held in Brandenberg an der Havel, Germany from July 14 to July 20, 2025. The race is akin to the Olympics, and this year will mark the first ever Breast Cancer division to be competing in the race.
We are so proud of and so excited for the 5 Hope Afloat paddlers who made it onto Team USA and will represent our country and breast cancer survivors and thrivers everywhere - Betty Becker, Abby Davis, Linda Giovinco, Catherine Hagele and Phyllis Silverstein.
They and the others on the team competed and were chosen out of hundreds of women from all across the country. They have dedicated an astounding amount of time and effort to reach this international level of competition.
The Team USA BCP division is strong AND determined to show the world what survivorship can look like. Here is info on the week long event: https://world-dragonboat-championships2025.de/
Go Hope Afloat and Team USA!
Reflections from our 2023 race season (courtesy of Catherine)
Reflections from our 2023 Race Season (courtesy of Catherine)
No One Should Battle Cancer Alone
No One Should Battle Cancer Alone - by our own Marian Vallotton
AND THE STREAK CONTINUES!
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor puddles of mud can keep Hope Afloat from WINNING THE GOLD for the third time this season!
BCS CHALLENGE CUP AWARD
The IDBR Dragon Boat race took place in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 3, 2023, on our beloved Schuylkill River.
WEIGHT-LIFTING CHAMPIONS
Some of our intrepid teammates competed in a professional weightlifting event in March 2023. They set state and national records - the “Why Not? Warriors” CRUSHED IT! Check out this little compilation video documenting their accomplishments.
PROJECT CALL HOME
Hope Afloat’s President, Linda Giovinco, has been doing this hat project for the last 12 years!
LISA’S ARMY
Hope Afloat USA participated in a terrific opportunity on March 8, 2022 when several team members volunteered for a wonderful organization called Lisa’s Army, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort to courageous individuals currently undergoing cancer treatments.
SISTA STRUT
On Saturday, June 11, 2022, Hope Afloat members participated in “Sista Strut”, a 3K Breast Cancer Walk to heighten awareness about the issues of breast cancer in women of color. We set up a table to raise awareness about the fun and benefits of dragon boat racing for breast cancer survivors. We talked, shared stores, and celebrated life with many survivors and supporters. We are hopeful that some of them will come down to the dock and be a part of our team!
