DragonBoat Beaufort

Dignity For All

story by WENDY NIELSEN POLLITZER

DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day, one of the Lowcountry’s most beloved events, is a mission-driven crusade with extraordinary layers of intrinsic value for participants, survivors, donors, and volunteers. The mission of DragonBoat Beaufort is fundamental in theory and eloquent in execution: Through the physical competition of dragonboat racing and the strength of camaraderie, DragonBoat Beaufort aims to provide cancer survivors with a total sense of wellness. The OUTREACH program is the sole beneficiary of the annual event, with dollars raised going directly to cancer patients in need of mortgage relief, utility payments, car repairs, COBRA insurance premiums, medical supplies, and so much more.

Since 2012, the 100% volunteer-based, non-profit organization mobilizes and inspires novice and well-trained dragonboat teams in a donor-centric model to financially assist cancer patients who live, work, or receive treatment in Beaufort County. Inspired by the documentary “Awaken the Dragon” shown at the 2012 Beaufort International Film Festival, a small group of cancer survivors started raising money to purchase their first dragon boat. They bought a boat within six months, formed a team, and slowly learned the precision and stability skills necessary to safely move the boat through local waters. They competed in dragonboat festivals long before they were ready, and in 2013, they launched the debut of DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day, originally under the auspices of the Beaufort Water Festival. After becoming a fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day became a popular means for cancer survivors and those affected by cancer to join together and raise money for patients in active treatment experiencing financial hardship.

The annual event historically takes place in June at Waterfront Park, but the 2020 competition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event will be a cyber-friendly fundraiser hosted online with community captains still able to create and energize teams, compete virtually, and raise crucial dollars needed for DBB’s OUTREACH program.

Doreen Pierce is a volunteer who coordinates the OUTREACH program. She works with social workers, pastors, and other reliable sources in the area who refer patients who are struggling with everyday life necessities. These trusted relationships and DBB’s vetting process ensures that the right person may receive the right amount of funds at the right time. Sometimes the diagnosis of cancer is less overwhelming than the realistic monthly demands of keeping the lights on, keeping the fridge supplied with nutritious food, or keeping gas in the car to get to treatment. Doreen suggests patients in need to the Board, who ultimately decides if dollars will be released. Often, they are, and in a timely manner.

Kianna Reese is an oncology social worker with Beaufort Memorial Keyserling Cancer Center who works directly with Doreen and DBB funds. She has been in her profession for seven years, joining the BMH team in 2020. She describes this as her first year of working directly with an organization that helps patients who need immediate assistance.

“I’m used to putting patients on waiting lists that last months, even years, to get a response. The window of stress and panic has long since passed. I have the pleasure now to watch DragonBoat Beaufort change lives overnight,” smiles Kianna. “Cancer isn’t necessarily the biggest stress. DBB’s OUTREACH makes my patients’ daily lives a little more blessed.”

Sometimes the patient’s problem isn’t huge, but it is a problem. Farris Smith, a social worker at St. Joseph Candler in Bluffton, describes a few scenarios of patients receiving immediate attention.

“We had a person donate an electric wheelchair to a patient walking with two canes. The donation was so generous, but the patient couldn’t afford the batteries needed to power it. DBB provided two batteries within a week,” explains Farris.

“I’ve seen DBB provide essential mouthwash with pain medication to a patient needing three bottles per two weeks at a $40 copay per bottle. I’ve seen them provide Wal-Mart cards to buy medication and food. I’ve seen them pay monthly COBRA premiums when patients have had to take a leave of absence from work,” she says.

Kianna and Farris are most grateful for the personal and rapid response from Doreen and DBB. They can give their patients almost instant relief when they are feeling a sense of hopelessness. They see instant tears when a patient understands they can pay their rent that month, that they can pay their vehicle taxes, that they can pay for a monthly prescription needed for their treatment.

Kianna wrote a thank you note to Doreen and DragonBoat Beaufort after watching several of her patients benefit from the OUTREACH program.
“I wish I could give you the blessing of being able to see each and every patient’s face when I tell them there is an actual route to help,” she wrote.
Farris agrees, “It’s not necessarily what they say. It’s how they look at you.”

Both professionals thank DragonBoat Beaufort for their commitment to the OUTREACH program and the transparent use of donor dollars.
“DragonBoat Beaufort really is the perfect example of goodwill in humanity,” says Kianna.

All of this happens because of a united community. DragonBoat Beaufort can’t exist without the many Beaufortonians who contribute to the cause, including a dedicated group of volunteers.

Greg Rawls is one of those volunteers. He’s been a part of DBB since its inception. As a DragonBoat Charleston alumni, Greg came to Beaufort with the previous knowledge of the paddling program. He’s been the race director, a member of the board, website coordinator, and communications coordinator. He now manages the sign-ups for the paddling program, ensuring that teams have ample time to practice safely.

“We never practice without a safety boat patrolling nearby, and each dragonboat is equipped with a coach and experienced steer person at all times,” insists Greg. “We are also very fortunate that Port Royal Landing Marina gives us space to keep the boats for free. It’s truly a community effort.”
You can become a member of DragonBoat Beaufort and enjoy the camaraderie of others who are also passionate about supporting those in our community who are living with cancer. Full Membership includes paddling and the opportunity to join teams. Social Membership is for those who don’t wish to paddle but want to be involved otherwise.

All DBB members support the mission of DragonBoat Beaufort by volunteering on their working committees which include the Outreach Program, Race Day planning, Social Events, and generally promoting the organization to others who may be interested in joining or who are in need of their services.

This year, race day will be a little different, but the mission is the same. DragonBoat Beaufort will continue to support individual cancer patients and aim to provide survivors with a total sense of wellness. Local support has and always will be the key to DBB’s success and the key to helping others. In 2020, DBB helped over 65 cancer patients in Beaufort County. Your help is needed now more than ever before to ensure that as many patients receive assistance in 2021.

I was fortunate to write about “Awaken the Dragon” in 2012 and saw firsthand how a small group of survivors started a large enterprise of giving based on an inspirational story of reclaiming life … a story of awaking the dragon within. Since then, three of DragonBoat Beaufort’s original members have passed. We honor them for having the foresight to understand that a fundamental idea of working together as a single force of power and beauty would yield priceless reward. For some, that reward is philanthropy. For others, it’s dignity. For all, it’s the welfare of humanity.
To learn more about how to get involved with DragonBoat Beaufort, please visit their website www.dragonboatbeaufort.org.