NEW GLASGOW – While Charleen Ferguson paddled down the East River with her Women Alike Abreast-a-River teammates, she had a cheering contingent overhead.
“She’s a second-time breast cancer survivor,” said her husband Owen Ferguson, after he and his daughter Julia Lau dropped their pink carnations from the George Street Bridge, a yearly tradition at the Race on the River – Pictou County Dragon Boat Festival.
Charleen was first diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago, beat it, then a few years later battled it for a second time, before winning again.
“No one asks for it. You just do the best for them – that’s all you can do,” said Owen, who has had more than his fair share of cancer impact his life: his mother Rita died from breast cancer 30 years ago, and in 2011, his father Allister lost a battle with prostate cancer.
The Pictou County Prostate Cancer Support Association is one of the beneficiaries from money raised during the dragon boat festival.
“You can’t fix it, you can only help. It makes you appreciate the day,” adds Ferguson, who has lived in Pictou County for 20 years and taught at Trenton Middle School before retiring.
His wife shares a common bond with other women on the Abreast-a-River team.
“It gives her hope, a passion and it makes you proud – it empowers her to do the best she can and never give up.”
Julia learned her mother had cancer during her first year at university.
“It was hard, but she was always very positive, and I think that’s very important,” she says.
“It affects so many women – going through something like that shows a bond that we can never really understand.”
A total of $98,000 in pledges was raised from the event. In addition to the Pictou County Prostate Cancer Support Association, other beneficiaries were Special Olympics Northern Region and the Pictou County Prostate Cancer Support Association. More than 30 teams took part in this year’s event, which was the 17th edition.
Glen Hynes and Joan Murray were the top pledge earners, raising $20,000.
Dragon Boast festival winners
Education Final: NNEC
Town of New Glasgow Cup: Reef Knots
Michelin Pictou County Cup: High Sea Highlanders
Leil Brothers, Ltd. Cup: Sobeys Sliders
94.1 East Coast FM & Classic Rock 97.9 Cup: Y Wave Riders
Source Atlantic Cup: Cumberland ‘Y’ Not
Sobeys Cup: Michelin White River Runners
Bruce F. Murray Memorial Cup: Y Wave Riders
Advocate printing and Publishing Cup: ’tit Bateau
