Second Chance - a new boat for Dragons Abreast in Townsville will be blessed by a Buddhist monk from Cairns on Saturday, 20 October at 1.30 p.m. on the shore-side of Tobruk Pool.

With a price tag of $10,000 the boat was jointly funded by Townsville Port Authority and BHP Billiton Yabulu (formerly Queensland Nickel) who donated $5,000 each towards the boat.

Second Chance brings the total dragon boat number in Townsville to two - and enables the city’s rowing team Twin Titties to race against each other. The boat is called Second Chance because many of the team members have been given a second chance at life.

Barry Holden, Townsville Port Authority Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are incredibly pleased to be able to jointly fund a new dragon boat for Townsville. Breast cancer can affect our wives, daughters, mothers, and colleagues. The Authority recognises the importance of an organisation that does such good work as Dragons Abreast.”

Commenting on the sponsorship, Malcolm Mayes, BHP Billiton Yabulu General Manager, said: “We are proud to be supporting these teams as they raise awareness of breast cancer while also celebrating life. Their stories and zest for life give hope to other women suffering breast cancer.”

Why Rowing?
The action of paddling in a dragon boat helps reduce the incidence of lymphoedema in breast cancer patients. What started out as a medical study has grown into a worldwide movement, with over thirty Dragons Abreast teams in Australia alone.

The Dragons Abreast association offers hope and inspiration to women faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer. For further information on Dragons Abreast please contact Carole Douglas on 0437 339 810.