Pink Paddlers share stories of hope
DRAGONBOAT paddlers who are cancer survivors continue to do their part despite the enhanced community quarantine as they share stories of inspiration through social media, for the people who are fighting cancer.
The Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragonboat Team, which is composed of female cancer survivors, is posting stories of survival on its social media page to give strength and inspiration to cancer patients amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“While we are in quarantine, we post inspirational stories of our paddlers. We do this to share positivity and inspiration to those who are still fighting cancer and under medication,” head coach Christian Ian Sy told SunStar Cebu.
It has been reported that cancer patients are those at high risk of serious illness from a Covid-19 infection.
“This is our initiative. With this simple act we can help and boost the faith of the cancer fighter,” said Sy.
“We can’t help them financially, but hopefully, in our own little way, these stories can help them to stay strong in their battle against cancer during this tough time,” he added.
Sy said even the paddlers are anxious in this health crisis but the members help each other to stay calm and focus on what they need to do to help the community.
The Covid-19 pandemic has canceled all the calendared races for the Cebu Pink Paddlers, including the international ones in Singapore and Hong Kong. The team also declined an invitation in Hong Kong in June and local races in the third and fourth quarters of the year.
“Safety first for our paddlers, they’re cancer survivors and very sensitive. Summer is usually the start of the Dragonboat Season but this is not a normal time because of the coronavirus,” he said.
The paddlers, though, are still training at home with high-intensity interval training. This is done thrice a week to keep the paddlers’ fitness.
“After this pandemic, we will go out and continue with our goal which is to inspire cancer patients and show them that we are stronger than cancer,” ended Sy.
Cebu has been placed under community quarantine since March 16 to reduce the spread of the Covid-19.