Dragon boating is a team sport that has its roots in ancient China. The boats are decorated with a dragon head and tail. In recent years, cancer survivor groups have got involved in the sport to help make friends and help rebuild their lives.
On a recent Saturday morning, a group of 20 women were on a boat in the Anacostia River in Washington DC. They moved their paddles (船桨) in rhythm with the call of a coach. The women belong to the dragon boat team GoPink!DC, which trains weekly. It also races against other breast cancer survivor teams in the Dragon Boat Festival. As a result, GoPink!DC won medals in this Washington dragon boat festival.
Lydia Collins joined the team five years ago after finding out she had breast cancer. “I was told by my doctor that I developed breast cancer. I was depressed because of my illness — I lost all interest in life and wouldn’t even get out of bed to eat. But now I love the team spirit. I just love everything about it. It is like a floating support group on the water.” The paddlers are breast cancer survivors and their supporters.
Annette Rothemel helped set up the group in 2006. She is a researcher of the National Institutes of Health as well as a breast cancer survivor. “It is sort of an easy entry sport because on the same boat people at different levels can be doing the same sport.” But Ms Rothemel says dragon boating can be physically demanding, especially for someone who is sick and getting treatment for cancer.
“It’s hard but I think you have to challenge yourself in life. This is something I look forward to. I get to be out here with my sisters and supporters that understand what I’m suffering and help motivate me. So it makes me stronger and it makes me feel better.” another cancer survivor Rhonda Hartzel said.
Annette Rothemel says the cancer survivors feel a sense of sisterhood and share good times when they paddle together. She says both feelings are treasured by the team.
【小题1】What is true about GoPink!DC?| A．It raises money for medical research. | B．It races against other teams weekly. |
| C．It won the first prize in a boat festival. | D．It is made up of cancer survivors. |
| A．She helps establish GoPink!DC. |
| B．She tries to find a cure for the cancer. |
| C．She benefits from the dragon boat race. |
| D．She gives up hope because of her illness. |
| A．They have got better physically and mentally. |
| B．They have forgotten their tough experiences. |
| C．They have got rid of the pains of their cancer. |
| D．They have enjoyed their life without sufferings. |
| A．Dragon boating helps inspire sisterhood |
| B．Dragon boating is welcomed by cancer survivors |
| C．Dragon boating is popular across Washington DC |
| D．Dragon boating groups have been set up by cancer survivors |
