Rhonda Hilton knows far too well what cancer can do.

The 64-year-old retiree has had two successful surgeries for thyroid cancer. Less than six years ago, stomach cancer claimed her husband of 40 years, permanently altering her life.

Looking for a fresh start, Hilton left Ontario for Victoria, which she had come to love while visiting her two adult daughters over the years.

As Hilton familiarized herself with her home, she noticed the dragon boats on the Gorge waterway.

B次元官网网址淭hey always interested me, and I thought as they were looking for cancer survivors and their supporters, I might just fit in,B次元官网网址� she said.

Emails with Karen Wilson, a longtime paddler with the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club and the Island Breast Strokers, who received two diagnoses of breast cancer during the last two decades, followed.

Hilton eventually became one of the first crew members of StayinB次元官网网址� Alive, a mixed-gender team for cancer survivors and supporters that Wilson and her husband Keith had formed to give cancer survivors and their supporters a sanctuary where they can draw strength in a supportive, knowledgeable environment.

While all-female teams of breast cancer survivors are common, StayinB次元官网网址� Alive would be the first of its kind in the region.

Hilton hasnB次元官网网址檛 looked back since joining. She loves being on the water, and marvels at the scenery. The entire experience has since given her a new confidence, as she moves forward with her life.

B次元官网网址淚 have always been kind of in awe that people do so well in activities they choose,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淣ow, instead I can just be proud to have found my own.B次元官网网址�

Hilton will get a chance to show this when she and her crew mates race in the 2018 Dragon Boat Festival Aug. 10-12, an accomplishment by any measure considering that the team did not have its first on-water session until June 2.

Original plans for the team were modest, said Keith Wilson, who two years ago received a diagnosis of throat cancer, now in remission. They were just planning to race as an exhibition team. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just like a fifth boat [in a heat],B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut now we are actually in the schedule, and we can actually win a medal, if we are good enough.B次元官网网址�

The 22-member crew covers a wide range of ages and athletic abilities.

B次元官网网址淭he oldest one is probably 70, and the youngest one in their mid-30s,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e have people who havenB次元官网网址檛 done anything close to this kind of exercise ever. So we have to bring them up slowly, and then we have other people who are quite athletic.B次元官网网址�

As for the number of people, who have raced before, it is, well, small. B次元官网网址淭wo, if you count my wife [Karen] three.B次元官网网址�

The other one is Jo-Ann Zador, who has been a competitive dragon boat racer for the last five years, along with her husband. In late May though, Zador heard that her adult daughter had received a diagnosis of breast cancer.

B次元官网网址淚 felt quite lost,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 felt that emotionally I needed more support, so I asked Karen and Keith if they could use my help.B次元官网网址�

They agreed and the relationship between Zador and the relatively inexperienced crew has been nothing less than a win-win.

B次元官网网址淭o me, being on the water in my dragon boat has always been my anchor, my calm, my place of peace in this storm my family is trying to cope with,B次元官网网址� said Zador. B次元官网网址淪o to be welcomed to join this team is the best thing that has happened to me since May B次元官网网址� they will get me through.B次元官网网址�

Being part of this team has taught Zador that it is OK to hurt and cry. B次元官网网址淚 am humbled by the kindness of people who have suffered, the kindness of people who have conquered, the kindness of people who give you hug when they see the tears, and and there is light at the end of tunnel,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 have experienced true compassion and caring words of comfort.B次元官网网址�

Working with inexperienced crew members, who are either recovering from cancer themselves or are supporting others, requires care and consideration, said Wilson.

The boatB次元官网网址檚 complement might not always be complete or in their best physical condition as paddlers might be dealing with the physical or emotional effects of cancer B次元官网网址� the B次元官网网址済ift that keeps on giving,B次元官网网址� as Wilson calls it with a hint of knowing irony.

But he has also seen the strength that crew members have drawn from each other during this year, which will hopefully be the first of many more to come.

B次元官网网址淭his first year is going to be rough,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut we will get through it.B次元官网网址�

He doesnB次元官网网址檛 need to say that, as they have been through far worse.