A flotilla of fun took to the waters between Willows Beach and Cadboro Bay to raise funds for children with cancer and their families. This year, the annual Paddle for Health event raised over $20,000 for Island Kids Cancer Association.

B次元官网网址淓verybodyB次元官网网址檚 there for the same reason. WeB次元官网网址檙e all there to raise some money for the Kids Cancer Association and have some fun,B次元官网网址� says Don Lowther, organizer of the 11th annual Paddle For Health.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got volunteers whoB次元官网网址檝e been doing it 11 years nowB次元官网网址� and paddlers who this will be their fifth or sixth time coming out.B次元官网网址�

Cancer survivors of all ages, and those in different stages of the illness come out each year, usually about 100 of them.

B次元官网网址淭he very first year, 11 years ago, I think I had 20. That was in Brentwood Bay,B次元官网网址� says Lowther, an avid paddler who started the event in honour of his mom who died from cancer. B次元官网网址淚t made sense, thatB次元官网网址檚 what I did, it made sense to try and turn that into something positive for a bunch of people.B次元官网网址�

He expects theyB次元官网网址檒l reach beyond the $200,000 mark this year.

B次元官网网址淲hich is kind of nice for a little group of paddlers,B次元官网网址� he says.

Glen Lyon Norfolk School and Sea Kayaking supply all their kayaks and canoes at no charge and Power To Be Adventure Society brings a large voyageur canoe. Paddleboards are donated by different organizations.

B次元官网网址淟ots of first-timers come out. Everybody works together, the fast boats get ahead but everybody stops and waits,B次元官网网址� Lowther says.

Launching from Willows Beach, paddlers cruise from Cattle Point into Cadboro Bay to Gyro Beach with a stop for a leg stretch and snack break before paddling back to Willows Beach to a waiting barbecue lunch.

B次元官网网址淲e have experienced guides and we have the Royal Canadian Search and Rescue come out and shadow the group the whole time for that extra safety factor,B次元官网网址� Lowther says.

Paddlers participate with a voluntary $50 donation upon sign up with additional pledge collection expected. For the third year, funds raised support .

B次元官网网址淚 think most people want to see a difference made in their own neighbourhoods,B次元官网网址� Lowther says.

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ThatB次元官网网址檚 the mandate says Susan Kerr, founder and program co-ordinator with the Island Kids Cancer Association.

B次元官网网址淲e provide practical support for children with cancer, and their families on Vancouver Island, through all stages of their cancer journey,B次元官网网址� Kerr says.

It supports programs such as CARE 4 Kids (connection, assistance, resources and emergency), offering personal connection, support and resources through community programs.

B次元官网网址淲e provide practical support but as our board is made up of mostly families who have been there and community people who are integrated in this journey as well, we have a sense of practical support could mean emergency travel vouchers B次元官网网址� or mental health and wellness,B次元官网网址� Kerr says. B次元官网网址淭here are layers to it B次元官网网址� what we provide that you donB次元官网网址檛 often see is the individual one-0on-one relationship you have with the families. Every family is unique and has individual needs.B次元官网网址�

A recently developed community connection includes Victoria Conservatory of Music through music therapy programming.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a new partnership IB次元官网网址檓 super excited about, working with them, offering families and kids support on an individual basis,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淩ight now weB次元官网网址檙e looking at one-on-one support for kids.B次元官网网址�

While many think of counsellors and psychologists, realistically thereB次元官网网址檚 play therapy, art therapy and music therapy to appeal to a variety of ages and characters of children. B次元官网网址淲e want to delve into all of that.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淧addle for Health is an amazing magical day B次元官网网址� filled with hope, full hearts and plenty of hugs,B次元官网网址� Kerr says. B次元官网网址淚t truly symbolizes what it means to be part of a community.B次元官网网址�

Visit paddleforhealth.ca.