Submitted by Dragica Maric.
From Newbie to Australian Championship paddler.
Dragons Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix member Australia.
I was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer at the age of 44. At the time, I unfortunately didn't want to talk about breast cancer to others, and I didn't want to be around other women who had breast cancer or who were undergoing breast cancer treatment.
However, in early 2023, everything had changed, and by mid 2023 I had approached Dr Monique Ryan MP to assist me with accessing a potentially life-saving medication which to self-fund, would cost 110K for 2 years.
Not only did Dr Ryan, Mr Mark Butler and my Medical Oncologist assist me with accessing the medication on compassionate grounds via an early access/familiarisation program, but Dr Ryan indirectly introduced me to Federal Politician and fellow Breast Cancer Survivor, Peta Murphy MP, and the water sport of dragon boating.
By late 2023, I had joined a breast cancer survivors team, Dragons Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix, much like the incredible (Vale) Peta Murphy who early on, had joined sister club Dragons Abreast Patterson Lakes Pink Lotus.
Although I continue to experience side effects from breast cancer treatment including lymphoedema and I continue to undergo breast cancer treatment including endocrine therapy, targeted therapy and bisphosphonate therapy, its true what they say, your team becomes your family, your paddle becomes your best friend, the boat becomes your home, and racing becomes your life!!
I have paddled at the 2024 Lunar New Year Festival Regatta in Melbourne and recently at the 2024 Dragon Boat Australian Championships in Perth with a Dragons Abreast composite crew.
An amazing experience with a team of fantastically fun and friendly breast cancer survivors!! Those 500m races, wow!! Oh, and the many dragon boat lessons learned together.
I'm paddling at the 2024 Pink Paddle Power Regatta in Tasmania and the IBCPC 2026 Dragon Boat Festival Regatta in France with Dragons Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix.
Living interstate, I am now affectionately known to the Melbourne Pink Phoenix as the "FIFO Pink Phoenix".
I encourage every breast cancer survivor regardless of where they are at in their breast cancer travels and their sporting abilities, to eat, sleep and paddle. Oh, and have heaps of fun!!
