Community

Abreast In A Boat

Abreast In A Boat (AIAB) is a group of women living with breast cancer from the Metro Vancouver area. We paddle to make a difference – to raise awareness about breast cancer and to encourage all women to live full and active lives. We are a non-profit society and our goal is to send a message of hope to people living with the disease and to all those who support them.

In the dragon boat, we … paddle together, support each other, learn from one another, laugh together, enjoy competition, overcome our fears, encourage each other, make new friends, take pride in our accomplishments and break the silence of cancer.

What began as a medical study in 1996, has grown to include over 130 survivor teams worldwide. This year two of our crews, Abreast Up the Creek and Abreast with FORT-itude, will represent AIAB in the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.

With the generous support of Scotiabank and other wonderful sponsors we are making a difference.

Please visit us at www.abreastinaboat.com

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon region (CBCF)
The Pink Tour

What is The Pink Tour, Power in Knowledge?
The Pink Tour is a province-wide education initiative to encourage women 40 – 79 years of age to take advantage of BC’s free screening mammogram program.

Currently only 51% of women in BC who should go for a regular mammogram, actually do. According to World Health Organization investigations, if 70% of eligible women went for one, we could reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer by up to one third.

The Pink Tour’s most identifiable element will be a 70 foot branded bus which will travel through more than 50 BC communities from May to September. The Pink Tour will also stop at a number of aboriginal friendship centres.

What will people see on the bus?
Visitors to the bus will be able to walk through the bus and view displays and speak to the Tour staff about the importance of having a regular mammogram. Displays will include messaging about overall breast health, facts about mammography, breast cancer risk factors and information on the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and its commitment to research and community support. Visitors can also test their knowledge with an on-board quiz.

The tour team will also be able to use laptops on board the bus to provide a direct link to the Mammogram call-back program. During the bus tour, a visitor can register their contact details and within several days they will receive a call back from the Screening Mammography Program about dates available for a mammogram. Visitors are also encouraged to call 1.888.GO.HAVE.1 directly to book a mammogram themselves.

Chief Louie Paddle Company

The Cheslatta Nation knew they were in for tough times with the recent economic downturn. Their sawmill, Cheslatta Forest Products, which they co-own with local residents, temporarily closed down, all logging ceased and they had 10’s of millions of board feet of lumber in their mill yard. People were suddenly out of work and the prospects for a turnaround were far in the future. They were literally “up the creek without a paddle”. So, they started manufacturing canoe paddles!

The Chief Louie Paddle Company debuted their wood products at the 30th annual Kamloopa Pow-Wow in Kamloops, BC and has been going strong ever since. The paddles range in size from a full size 60” down to a miniature 24” and all are constructed from wood salvaged locally including blue pine from the dead stands of Mountain Pine Beetle timber, local aspen, spruce, fir and Waterwood which has been salvaged from the depths of Ootsa Lake.

The company is named after the renowned Chief Louie, the last Hereditary Chief of Cheslatta, who died in 1951. “The paddles are of the land and are a very strong symbol of our history. My great, great-grandfather was renowned for his feats of paddling in his dugout canoes.” says Chief Corrina Leween, “He would be impressed with the strength and style of these paddles that bear his name.” Indeed, these paddles, which are hand carved using a blend of modern and traditional techniques, have more durability and strength than any other paddle on the market today. We welcome anyone to put them to the test!

Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA)

The Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) provides over 50 community-based programs and services for children, youths, and adults. The Developmental Disabilities Association not only strives to enable people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential, but also is one of the largest daycare providers in the Lower Mainland. Support the Developmental Disabilities Association to ensure we can continue to provide quality programs and services while creating inclusive communities for your loved ones now and into the future. To learn more, visit our website at www.develop.bc.ca

Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (GVFBS) would like to thank the organizers of the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival for inviting it to be a part of their fun-filled event.

The GVFBS is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food and related assistance to those in need. The GVFBS collects and distributes food to over 25‚000 people weekly through 16 food depots and over 120 community agencies located in Vancouver‚ Burnaby‚ New Westminster and the North Shore. The GVFBS does not accept government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals and organizations willing to donate funds‚ food and time.

The GVFBS purchases large quantities of fresh produce and eggs for its clients, which enables it to translate every one dollar donation into three dollars worth of food with its strong buying power and partnerships with local farmers. Those who come to the food bank for assistance include the working poor, new immigrants and, in increasing numbers, senior citizens on a fixed income. Post-secondary costs are forcing many students to also seek food related assistance.

On behalf of the staff at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the clients whose lives you touch through your generous efforts and donations, thank you.

The GVFBS will be on-site accepting monetary and non-perishable food donations all weekend.

Union Gospel Mission

Union Gospel Mission is an urban relief organization based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. With locations across Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, UGM is ideally positioned to help those who need it most. Offering a comprehensive range of life-changing programs and services—meals, chaplaincy, drop-ins, family services, outreach, alcohol and drug recovery, employment and education services—UGM offers hope and help while creating brighter futures for men, women, and children in our communities.


Tweet Home The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival Race Schedule & Results Participating Teams Sponsor's Village World Beat Stage Rio Tinto Alcan Cooking Stage Marketplace Sampling Marketplace Retail Pacific Rim Artisans Community Silk Road Food Festival Festival Map Our Wonderful Sponsors Where to Stay & Play Paddler's Party Race Information Registration for Festivals and Regattas Dragon Zone/Register to Practice Learn to Paddle/Join A Team Corporate Programs Boat Rentals Sponsorship Volunteer Special Events Who We Are Media		Community Abreast In A Boat Abreast In A Boat (AIAB) is a group of women living with breast cancer from the Metro Vancouver area. We paddle to make a difference – to raise awareness about breast cancer and to encourage all women to live full and active lives. We are a non-profit society and our goal is to send a message of hope to people living with the disease and to all those who support them. In the dragon boat, we … paddle together, support each other, learn from one another, laugh together, enjoy competition, overcome our fears, encourage each other, make new friends, take pride in our accomplishments and break the silence of cancer. What began as a medical study in 1996, has grown to include over 130 survivor teams worldwide. This year two of our crews, Abreast Up the Creek and Abreast with FORT-itude, will represent AIAB in the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. With the generous support of Scotiabank and other wonderful sponsors we are making a difference. Please visit us at www.abreastinaboat.com Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon region (CBCF) The Pink Tour What is The Pink Tour, Power in Knowledge? The Pink Tour is a province-wide education initiative to encourage women 40 – 79 years of age to take advantage of BC’s free screening mammogram program. Currently only 51% of women in BC who should go for a regular mammogram, actually do. According to World Health Organization investigations, if 70% of eligible women went for one, we could reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer by up to one third. The Pink Tour’s most identifiable element will be a 70 foot branded bus which will travel through more than 50 BC communities from May to September. The Pink Tour will also stop at a number of aboriginal friendship centres. What will people see on the bus? Visitors to the bus will be able to walk through the bus and view displays and speak to the Tour staff about the importance of having a regular mammogram. Displays will include messaging about overall breast health, facts about mammography, breast cancer risk factors and information on the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and its commitment to research and community support. Visitors can also test their knowledge with an on-board quiz. The tour team will also be able to use laptops on board the bus to provide a direct link to the Mammogram call-back program. During the bus tour, a visitor can register their contact details and within several days they will receive a call back from the Screening Mammography Program about dates available for a mammogram. Visitors are also encouraged to call 1.888.GO.HAVE.1 directly to book a mammogram themselves. Chief Louie Paddle Company The Cheslatta Nation knew they were in for tough times with the recent economic downturn. Their sawmill, Cheslatta Forest Products, which they co-own with local residents, temporarily closed down, all logging ceased and they had 10’s of millions of board feet of lumber in their mill yard. People were suddenly out of work and the prospects for a turnaround were far in the future. They were literally “up the creek without a paddle”. So, they started manufacturing canoe paddles! The Chief Louie Paddle Company debuted their wood products at the 30th annual Kamloopa Pow-Wow in Kamloops, BC and has been going strong ever since. The paddles range in size from a full size 60” down to a miniature 24” and all are constructed from wood salvaged locally including blue pine from the dead stands of Mountain Pine Beetle timber, local aspen, spruce, fir and Waterwood which has been salvaged from the depths of Ootsa Lake. The company is named after the renowned Chief Louie, the last Hereditary Chief of Cheslatta, who died in 1951. “The paddles are of the land and are a very strong symbol of our history. My great, great-grandfather was renowned for his feats of paddling in his dugout canoes.” says Chief Corrina Leween, “He would be impressed with the strength and style of these paddles that bear his name.” Indeed, these paddles, which are hand carved using a blend of modern and traditional techniques, have more durability and strength than any other paddle on the market today. We welcome anyone to put them to the test! Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) The Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) provides over 50 community-based programs and services for children, youths, and adults. The Developmental Disabilities Association not only strives to enable people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential, but also is one of the largest daycare providers in the Lower Mainland. Support the Developmental Disabilities Association to ensure we can continue to provide quality programs and services while creating inclusive communities for your loved ones now and into the future. To learn more, visit our website at www.develop.bc.ca Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (GVFBS) would like to thank the organizers of the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival for inviting it to be a part of their fun-filled event. The GVFBS is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food and related assistance to those in need. The GVFBS collects and distributes food to over 25‚000 people weekly through 16 food depots and over 120 community agencies located in Vancouver‚ Burnaby‚ New Westminster and the North Shore. The GVFBS does not accept government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals and organizations willing to donate funds‚ food and time. The GVFBS purchases large quantities of fresh produce and eggs for its clients, which enables it to translate every one dollar donation into three dollars worth of food with its strong buying power and partnerships with local farmers. Those who come to the food bank for assistance include the working poor, new immigrants and, in increasing numbers, senior citizens on a fixed income. Post-secondary costs are forcing many students to also seek food related assistance. On behalf of the staff at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the clients whose lives you touch through your generous efforts and donations, thank you. The GVFBS will be on-site accepting monetary and non-perishable food donations all weekend. Union Gospel Mission Union Gospel Mission is an urban relief organization based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. With locations across Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, UGM is ideally positioned to help those who need it most. Offering a comprehensive range of life-changing programs and services—meals, chaplaincy, drop-ins, family services, outreach, alcohol and drug recovery, employment and education services—UGM offers hope and help while creating brighter futures for men, women, and children in our communities.