Making a Difference, One Race at a Time
On October 21st, 2025, Survivors Abreast Peterborough and the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival planning committee were recognized by the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHCF) for our philanthropical efforts and community spirit.
In 2022, the team and the festival planning committee, pledged to raise 500 thousand dollars over 3 years in support of the PRHCF reImagine Health Care campaign, specifically, in the area of cancer care. It was a milestone we weren’t sure we could achieve.
As the first live fundraising event in our area to come back after the pandemic, we were hopeful we could revive our festival and build on the momentum we had previously created. We were blown away by the support of the community as we surpassed our goal.
After the 2023 festival, when we once again surpassed our fundraising goal, and thanks to the unwavering dedication of the team and festival planning committee, and the remarkable community support, we ambitiously raised our sights, and pledged to donate an astounding $1,000,000 over 4 years to support the cancer care pillar of the PRHCF reImagine campaign. This part of the campaign has and will invested over $12 million towards 2 CT scanners, a second MRI machine, breast seed localization technology and bring digital pathology to our local hospital.
Well, the team and festival planning committee not only fulfilled that pledge, but with our most recent donation of $400,104.01, our record-breaking, largest single gift ever, we’ve surpassed that pledge by over 200 thousand dollars, raising an incredible $1,204,422.78 over 4 years.
The fact that our Festival, which is 100% run by volunteers, has inspired a community to raise more than 1 million dollars over 4 years, is extraordinary. Each year was built on the previous one, and with persistence and creativity, we’ve continued to expand and grow to build a solid foundation. But it’s the power of consistent small actions by all of us that have been the cement.
We recognize that this was truly a community effort and we thank all of the volunteers, sponsors, team captains, paddlers, businesses, donors near and far who contributed in a big or small way.
Since 2001, the Festival has raised over $4.9 million to advance expert, compassionate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment for patients from across our region including donations directed to laboratory equipment, 3-D mammography machines, breast ultrasound and radiologist workstations.
We look forward to celebrating our 25th Festival anniversary this coming June 13, 2026.
