Paddlers at first Suncoast Dragon Boat Fest raise money for women battling cancer

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Some paddled for love of the competition and others for the sense of camaraderie. They all helped raise money Saturday for women to have everything they need when battling cancer.

Thirty-three teams of paddlers competed in the first Suncoast Dragon Boat Festival in Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota with all proceeds going to In the Pink, a boutique for women living with cancer.

The ancient Chinese sport of dragon-boat racing involves paddlers sitting a boat framed with the traditional decor of a dragon head and tail. It has rapidly been gaining popularity locally.

Margo Benning, 56, has been paddling 10 years and said she was enjoying every minute of the competition along with her favorite Blade Runners teammates.

"This is one of our favorite venues," Benning said.

For her, sport provides a sense of team camaraderie and competitiveness.

"Our team is our friends and family," Benning said.

Jeri Millard, founder of In the Pink and event organizer, didn't hesitate to

paddle in a race. "I wanted to paddle at least once with them," Millard said.

Many race participants are clients at In the Pink, she said. Twice a cancer survivor herself, Millard said she hopes the event will raise between $10,000 and $15,000.

The Sarasota location is the third, with two others in Jacksonville. Money raised remains at the local location, she said.

"When women come in without insurance, they get them everything they need paid for," Millard said.

The boutique, which accepts health insurance, is a one-stop shop for women battling cancer in providing wigs, postsurgical garments, mastectomy bras/prosthesis, hats, scarves, radiation skin care, lymphedema compression garments and other resources.

Of the women they serve, 25 percent need assistance, she said. Often, the boutique also aids those struggling with high copays for items such as wigs.

In the Pink relies heavily on local fundraising to help those women, she said. Next year, she expects the event will grow to twice as many teams participating, Millard said.

"We want to have a bigger corporate and team presence," Millard said.

Despite the serious nature of the fundraiser, participants had plenty of fun. Bob Ricks, 75, was all smiles as he exchanged high fives with other paddlers.

"These are the most competitive teams in the area," Ricks said.

Ricks, the steerer for the Blackheart team from The Villages, said he thinks it's a great team sport and appreciates the full-body workout it provides.

"Everyone in our team is over 60," Ricks said. "We have all been athletes all of our lives."

Ricks, who's been on the team for five years, said he was a marathon runner and competitive cyclist.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Paddlers at first Suncoast Dragon Boat Fest raise money for women battling cancer ."