SABAUDIA – It took place yesterday, September 8th, in Sabaudia, the ceremony for the launch of the Dragon Boat “Circe” organized by LILT – Italian Wrestling League against Tumors – Provincial Association of Latina in collaboration with theASD The Core Rowingwhich hosted the event, and the group Woman More LILT Latina. The practice of Dragon Boat for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, was founded in 1996 from an idea of the American doctor, Dr. Don Mckenzie, and over 30 years ago it arrives in the Pontine capital with the creation of the Donna Più LILT Latina group. In 2010, the discipline regularly becomes part of our activities, alongside the outpatient and assistance services.
The new vessel, over 12 meters long, and characterized by a dragon’s head on the bow and a dragon’s tail on the sternwill be used to expand the psycho-physical rehabilitation activities for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. By paddling, they strengthen their muscles, gradually recovering the strength of their upper limbs and preventing the formation of lymphedema that can develop following surgery.
The yesterday’s ceremony opened with the traditional blessing of the dragon by the Parish priest of Sabaudia, Don Massimo Castagnaand continued with greetings from the President of LILT Latina Nicoletta D’Erme and the President of ASD The Core Francesca Zito.
“A new dragon to train and do prevention and spread its importance. I am referring not only to primary prevention, but also to tertiary prevention, which sees sport as a real rehabilitation therapy” said the LILT President, while Zito said she was proud to host “the women of the Dragon Boat of the LILT of Latina because for me every day is a positive experience and a further step.”
The Mayor of Latina, Dr. Matilde Celentano, she was unable to attend the ceremony due to previous commitments, but councilor Simona Mulè acted in her stead, reading a letter written by the Mayor for the occasion. “LILT’s initiatives are all worthy of sharing and deserve to be promoted always, even at an institutional level.. As a physiatrist I know very well the effectiveness of post-operative psycho-physical rehabilitation; as a woman, recently operated for breast cancer, I want to express my closeness to all the women who are going through this bad experience, wishing them to return to a normal life as soon as possible.”
A to underline the importance of physical activity both as prevention and as rehabilitative treatment, the words of the Dr. Federica Martella Director of UOSD Fisiatria ASL Latina, who in his speech highlighted that “sport and health are a winning combination, and drag boating is proof of this. The rhythmic movement of the paddle, in fact, determines a reduction in lymphatic return at the level of the arm on the operated side. This discipline, moreover, has great benefits at a cardiological level and has a positive effect on metabolism”.
Annamaria Maracchioni, Councilor for Health and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Sabaudia, brought greetings from Mayor Mosca, and took the opportunity to announce that this year, the opening ceremony of Pink October, the month dedicated by LILT at a national level to breast cancer prevention, will be held in Sabaudia.
Among the guests also il Regional Coordinator Lazio and member of the LILT national council Norberto Venturi who was keen to reiterate that the Latina association was among the first and most active in the implementation of this discipline as a therapy. The Coordinator highlighted how unfortunately at a national level we are a country with one of the lowest access to cancer prevention screening, a sign that we are not using the right weapons. “This is why LILT can be a fundamental and privileged partner of health institutions to raise awareness of adherence to screening and reach the percentages that Europe also asks of us.”
Also present was the Municipality of Cisterna di Latina in the person of the Sports Councillor Gaetana Capasso: “I am honored to be here representing the Mayor of Cisterna Valentino Mantini. There is a strong bond between LILT and the Municipality of Cisterna, so much so that we are about to open a LILT Latina office here too. I am happy to announce this on this very special day.”
Anna Maria De Cave, Dragon Boat Activity Manager, has explained how LILT Latina strongly wanted to include this discipline among its activities over fourteen years ago and how, over time, it has become an essential commitment for women who have undergone breast surgery, who, training several times a week on Lake Paola, have become true athletes, so much so that they compete in national competitions. “This sport is a bridge to normalization for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. It can be difficult when you start, but if you practice regularly it prevents muscular and skeletal atrophy, not to mention that practicing it is fun”.
To close the interventions, moderated by the Professor and Writer Stefania De Caro, the touching testimonies of Nunzia, Giuseppina, Anna, Maria Clementina, Maria Felicia, Maria Teresa, some of the dragonesses of DONNA PIU’ LILTeach with a different story behind them, but united by the experience of illness. Below are some excerpts.
“In 2020 I had breast cancer surgery, before then I had heard of Dragon Boat, but I didn’t know what it was. Then I met Annamaria and since then I have discovered the benefits of this sport, especially mental, and the pleasure of feeling good, in a group, in the open air”.
“Dragon Boat literally saved my life. The disease plunged me into total darkness, I was followed by a psychotherapist, but doing this activity, I discovered that the trips on the lake were more effective than the psychoanalysis sessions”.
“This discipline fascinated me right away. There is an extraordinary combination of strength, synchronization and team spirit. Every stroke of the paddle is a beat of my heart and that of my teammates, which strengthens the body and spirit, and is essential for feeling good”.
“This discipline allows us to overcome not only physically but also psychologically the problem that has affected us. Thanks to this type of activity, we can overcome that sense of loneliness, desperation and inadequacy caused by the disease.”
“In our team, everyone helps each other, where I can’t reach, my teammate does. I never imagined that such a beautiful thing could be born from a terrible illness. I put myself to the test every time I climb on the dragon and then I say that I can do it, I exist, despite what I’ve been through”.
“I joined Dragon Boat last year, after a mastectomy. My world had collapsed. They told me about this activity, I took all my strength, I came to try and from that day I started living again thanks to them”.
The ceremony concluded with a ride on the lake on Dragon Boats that were fanned out for the traditional flower ceremony, in which flowers are thrown onto the water to remember all the women who have not overcome the disease.
Table of Contents
- 1 Here are some potential “People Also Ask” (PAA) questions related to the title **”Dragon Boat: A Unique Rehabilitation Program for Women with Breast Cancer”**:
- 2 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions for the title “Dragon Boat ‘Circe’ Launches in Sabaudia: A New Era for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation”:
Dragon Boat: A Unique Rehabilitation Program for Women with Breast Cancer
Yesterday, September 8th, in Sabaudia, the ceremony for the launch of the Dragon Boat “Circe” took place, organized by LILT – Italian Wrestling League against Tumors – Provincial Association of Latina in collaboration with ASD The Core Rowing and the group Woman More LILT Latina. This event marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Dragon Boat program, a unique rehabilitation program for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery.
History of Dragon Boat
The practice of Dragon Boat for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery was founded in 1996 by American doctor, Dr. Don Mckenzie [[1]]. Over 30 years ago, it arrived in the Pontine capital with the creation of the Donna Più LILT Latina group. In 2010, the discipline regularly became part of LILT’s activities, alongside outpatient and assistance services.
The New Vessel
The new vessel, over 12 meters long, and characterized by a dragon’s head on the bow and a dragon’s tail on the stern, will be used to expand the psycho-physical rehabilitation activities for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. By paddling, they strengthen their muscles, gradually recovering the strength of their upper limbs and preventing the formation of lymphedema that can develop following surgery.
Benefits of Dragon Boat
The rhythmic movement of
Dragon Boat “Circe” Launches in Sabaudia: A New Era for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Yesterday, September 8th, in Sabaudia, the ceremony for the launch of the Dragon Boat “Circe” organized by LILT – Italian Wrestling League against Tumors – Provincial Association of Latina, in collaboration with ASD The Core Rowing and the group Woman More LILT Latina, took place. This momentous occasion marks a new chapter in the history of Dragon Boat, a sport that has been promoting psycho-physical rehabilitation for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery since 1996.
A Brief History of Dragon Boat
The concept of Dragon Boat was first introduced by American doctor Dr. Don Mckenzie in 1996, and over 30 years ago, it arrived in the Pontine capital with the creation of the Donna Più LILT Latina group. In 2010, the discipline became a regular part of the activities offered by LILT, alongside outpatient and assistance services <a href="https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/userupload/ateneo/sport/documenti/voga/consiglidragonboat.pdf”>[3[3].
The New Vessel: A Symbol of Hope and Strength
The new vessel, over 12 meters long, and characterized by a dragon’s head on the bow and a dragon’s tail on the stern, will be used to expand the psycho-physical rehabilitation activities for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. By paddling, they strengthen their muscles, gradually recovering the strength of their upper limbs and preventing the formation of lymphedema that can develop following surgery [1[1].
The Importance of Physical Activity in Rehabilitation
Physical activity plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process, not only as a form of prevention but also as a rehabilitative treatment. Dr. Federica Martella, Director of UOSD Fisiatria ASL Latina, highlighted the importance of sport and health, stating that “sport and health are a winning combination, and drag boating is proof of this. The rhythmic movement of the paddle, in fact, determines a reduction in lymphatic return at the level of the arm on the operated side. This discipline, moreover, has great benefits at a cardiological level and has a positive effect on metabolism” [4[4].
The Launch Ceremony
The ceremony opened with the traditional blessing of the dragon by the Parish priest of Sabaudia, Don Massimo Castagna, and continued with greetings from the President of LILT Latina, Nicoletta D’Erme, and the President of ASD The Core, Francesca Zito. The Mayor of Latina, Dr. Matilde Celentano, although unable to attend, sent a letter expressing her support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of promoting physical activity as a form of rehabilitation [2[2].
A New Era for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
The launch of the Dragon Boat “Circe” marks a new era for breast cancer rehabilitation in Sabaudia. This initiative is a testament to the power of sport and physical activity in promoting health and well-being, particularly for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. As Annamaria Maracchioni, Councilor for Health and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Sabaudia, announced, the opening ceremony of Pink October, the month dedicated to breast cancer prevention, will be held in Sabaudia this year.
the Dragon Boat “Circe” is a symbol of hope and strength for women who have