Pink Phoenix Dragon Boat Team is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to Empower Breast Cancer Survivors through the Sport of Dragon Boating. Pink Phoenix is based in the City of Roses: Portland, Oregon. Launched in 1996, Pink Phoenix became the United States’ very first breast cancer dragon boat team. We compete and represent as a 100% Breast Cancer Survivor Team, with a 100% volunteer board and no paid employees. Through the sport of dragon boating, teammates find strength and quality of life by paddling together while sharing the common thread of a breast cancer diagnosis – the only requirement to join the team. Our team name was inspired by the mythical bird rising from the ashes, symbolizing rebirth and the beginning of a new life journey. We are all looking to forward to begin a new chapter in life as we embrace life after cancer.
We are a diverse team: working professionals, retirees, stay-at-home parents, students, grandparents, long-time survivors and those who were just recently diagnosed or going through treatment. We are 100+ members strong representing the SW Washington and the Portland metro area.
Pink Phoenix is a member of DragonSports USA, the Pacific Dragon Boat Association and the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission.
History
The team was not started by a breast cancer survivor, but an avid dragon boat paddler, Dorothy Atwood, who was inspired by a local team of blind paddlers. In November 1996, with help from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Dorothy sent letters to all breast cancer survivors who registered for that year’s Race for the Cure®. Picking USA’s first BCS dragon boat team was easy – the first 29 to pay dues became the founding members.
None of the women had ever paddled before! They ranged in age from 29 to mid 60s. Plus, they were in different stages of physical fitness. For some it was the first form of exercise that sounded interesting enough to try, their first sports team. Some saw paddling as an exercise that would prove that they still had control over their bodies and that they could conquer this disease. Some were just finishing treatment so their physical strength was compromised. If that wasn’t enough, various types of surgeries left some members with limited upper body movement. This didn’t stop Dorothy. Her desire to share the sport she loved so much had her out several times a week from February through the end of summer teaching and training this new team.
The team has grown from those first 29 members to more than 100+ members today! Pink Phoenix has raced at the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race every year since our first appearance in 1997. In 1998, the Gorman Cup Race was added to the Rose Festival races. The race is named in memory of Pink Phoenix™ founding captain Michele Gorman, who died that spring. The Gorman Cup attracts other breast cancer survivor teams to Portland and is an exhibition race. Every year, Pink Phoenix™ invites non-paddling breast cancer survivors to join us on the boats as we race across the Willamette River. The Rose Festival races & The Gorman Cup are always on the second weekend after Memorial Day. Are you a breast cancer survivor and would like to celebrate with us with joy and a competitive spirit?
Since Pink Phoenix was formed, the team has raced in venues around the world. In 2026, we will be racing and representing at the IBCPC France and also celebrating our Pink Phoenix 30th Anniversary. We are honored to represent breast cancer survivors. We find joy in competing with our sisters from around the world, while sharing our enthusiasm for a joyful life through the sport of dragon boating.
