Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Sets 2025 Fundraising Goal; Team Registration Opens Saturday

The 24th-annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival has set its 2025 fundraising goal of $260,018.01 for the PRHC Foundation and registration for the event opens this Saturday.

To date, the Festival has raised over 4.5 million dollars. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival.

Michelle Thornton, festival chair, explains the precise amount of this year’s fundraising goal.

“The two represents the two out of five Canadians who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. The 60 is to bring attention to the PRHC Foundation’s 60 million dollar ‘ReImagine Health Care’ campaign that we are a part of,” she explained. “In keeping with our mandate of raising awareness about breast cancer, the 18 is for the one in eight women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and the 0.01 is the percentage of men who will also face a breast cancer diagnosis.”

“But most importantly, what’s raised here, stays here,” said Thornton. “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer and if we keep paddling together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of family, friends and neighbours in our region, who are facing this rotten disease.”

The event is hosted by the Survivors Abreast Peterborough Dragon Boat Team. It has fundraised for the PRHC Foundation since 2001.

Ann Stabler, Survivors Abreast team President, said they are proud of the outstanding community work the team has done since its inception in 1999. 

“We’ve always focussed on breast cancer awareness and raising funds for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre,” she explained. “We know firsthand the importance of the work the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHCF) does and their continuing mission to bring the best cancer care the world has to offer right here to our hospital.” 

“We’re excited to get back out on the water this June, paddling for a cause that has touched so many lives,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO. “As cancer volumes continue to rise in Peterborough and the surrounding area, it’s more important than ever to invest in state-of-the-art technology and equipment our regional hospital needs to care for our family, friends and neighbours. The support from Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival is absolutely vital to ensuring PRHC has the tools to provide world-class cancer care, close to home. We're so grateful for the Festival's commitment to cancer care and the Campaign for PRHC.”

This year’s event is back at Del Crary Park and features Dragon Boat Races, artisan and food vendors, a Family Fun Zone, a beer garden and more.

All pledges support the cause as the Festival is funded through local businesses and organizations.

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