Dragon Boat race helps China Quzke Relief

Dragon boat race helps China quake relief
Miami Hearld Posted on Wed, Jun. 04, 2008 BY BENJAMIN CANDEA
A sport created to appease sea dragons has taken on a life of its own and is supporting countries dealing with natural disasters and breast cancer survivors. The fifth annual Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, held Saturday in front of the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Brickell Key, hosted more than 1,000 participants, some from as far as Tampa and Los Angeles. ''We've caused a dragon revolution,'' said Joe Chi, president of the festival and executive director of the Miami Overseas Chinese Association, which organizes the event. The sport, consisting of paddlers racing long, narrow boats, began 2,000 years ago as homage to the legend of Qu Yuan, a minister who drowned in the Mi Lo River. Since his death, the Chinese have sailed dragon boats to appease the sea dragons. Chi said the festival began as a means to bring more diversity to South Florida. ''We wanted to try and bring more Asian and Chinese culture into Miami,'' Chi said. His association recently hosted a benefit to raise money for the Chinese earthquake relief efforts. The May 23 dinner, which featured finalists from the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, raised $25,000 that was donated to the Red Cross Society of China at the festival's May 31 opening ceremonies. Manny Wong, vice president of the festival and vice president of Miami Overseas Chinese Association, said that the group always tries to help China. ''We try to give back to our homeland,'' he said. Earthquakes have shook China's Sichuan Province throughout May, killing an estimated 68,000 and injuring more than 350,000, according to Chinese government official reports. The festival has donated in the past to other relief efforts, including Asian tsunami relief in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina relief in 2005. In addition to raising money for the Red Cross Society of China, the festival has joined with several breast cancer foundations in an effort to fight the disease and raise awareness. The association will host the Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Championships and the Corporate Dragon Boat Championships in 2009. The festival was also instrumental in starting Save Our Sisters, a local team that consists of breast cancer survivors started by the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2007. ''It was just so empowering to be out there and to be racing,'' said Chery Ettelman, one of the team's first members. With nearly 20 members, the team has participated in several races and won the Breast Cancer Division at last year's races. The goal for Save Our Sisters is to show there is life after treatment. ''Once treatment is done there is a void and that's what we try to fill,'' said team member Marlies Rosado. The team finished third in this year's Breast Cancer Survivors Division. Pairing the sport with breast cancer survivors helps to strengthen them both mentally and physically, Wong said. Another team of breast cancer survivors, the Pink Dragon Ladies, was started by H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in 2005. The Tampa team has participated in races throughout Florida and recently raced in the Breast Cancer Survivor Championships in Windsor, Ontario. ''It was an opportunity for us to meet with other breast cancer survivors,'' said Liz O'Connell, one of the first members of the team. The Pink Dragon Ladies took first and second place in the Breast Cancer Survivors Division. The Puff team prides itself on having members ranging in ages 15 to 65 and from 20 different countries. The South Floridian team began in 2003 and has over 45 members. ''What bonds them is the water, the love of the sport,'' said Puff team member Hammy Garzon. ``They made me feel like it was family.'' Puff won the Hong Kong Cup and the Premier Women's Division at this year's races. Spectators came from throughout South Florida. Delray Beach resident Cecil Wise came because he had seen races before. ''I saw this once in Bangkok and it was pretty exciting,'' he said. c 2008 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved. http://www.miamiherald.com