Breast Cancer Survivors Paddle the Same Boat
Save Our Sisters compete for more than themselves
By ADAM KUPERSTEIN and TODD WRIGHT
Updated 9:31 PM EDT, Thu, Oct 15, 2009
Courage, perseverance, will power and teamwork are all qualities needed in the competitive world of dragon boating. The same can be said for women who want to survive their battle with breast cancer.
So it was only natural that the women of S.O.S. have formed a bond that they say have helped them cope through the tough times and deal with the seemingly never-ending battle with breast cancer.
"We share a bond...but we share not just breast cancer, but we share friendship and love," said Berni Longobardi, a cancer survivor and member of S.O.S.
The group is easily recognized with their pink shirts and pink paddles rowing a long dragon boat through the water.
Kim Bonomo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and is one of the original 12 members, said she never thought she would be able to churn her arms through the water with force and speed after the rounds of debilitating treatment she endured on her road to recovery.
"We literally go out on that water and feel like we are beating the cancer with that paddle," Bonomo said.
Team S.O.S. also includes the men in their lives to join in the fight, much like they supported them through chemotherapy and the other struggles associated with breast cancer.
The group paddles in fundraisers and competitions around the nation, but you could just as easily find them gliding through the waters in Key Biscayne.
They row, not for fame or glory, but for each other.
First Published: Oct 8, 2009 5:37 PM EDT
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