Breast Cancer Survivors Row To Recovery

INDIANAPOLIS -- A group of Indianapolis breast cancer survivors will be taking to the water this weekend to compete in an international competition.

The group is called the Indy SurviveOars, and members said it’s a floating support group for women who’ve conquered breast cancer, 6News' Stacia Matthews reported.

"It proves to people you can have breast cancer and still be active, be productive,” said rower Nancy Lawton.

This weekend, the 22-woman team will take part in the FDJ Dragon Boat Festival in Windsor, Canada.

Rowing in their 48-foot-long custom-painted pink boat, the Indy SurviveOars will compete in three 400-meter races.

The group began as a way to help breast cancer survivors deal with the painful aftereffects of the disease, like lymphedema. The rowing helps combat the incapacitating swelling of the arm that’s common following breast cancer surgery, members said.

"Get the lymphatic fluid moving and get the swelling down. Hopefully with the practice the lymphedema will get under control,” said rower Rose Marie Bolinder.

Other team members told Matthews they joined Indy SurviveOars for the community.

"I'm 85 and I do it because I thought maybe I would be an inspiration to somebody else ... that's why I paddle," said rower Anna Belle Barnes.

The team has been practicing since January for this weekend’s competition -- first at an indoor pool and now on Geist Reservoir -- and members said they’re excited for the opportunity.

"It's hard, but we've been training a long time and working really hard for this,” said member Rhonda Hill. “We're ready!”