For the members of the Waves of Hope dragon boat team, the act of paddling is more than a sport; It’s a rhythmic reclamation of strength. Having navigated the grueling physical and emotional toll of diagnosis and treatment, these survivors and supporters from the Westman region are now charting a new course that extends from the water to the laboratory.
The team recently launched an ambitious multi-year Waves of Hope breast cancer research fundraiser with a goal of raising $150,000 for the breast cancer research lab at Brandon University by 2029. The initiative, titled “Hope in Our Backyard,” began with a significant momentum boost during the “A Day of Hope and Education” conference, where more than 100 attendees gathered to bridge the gap between clinical research and lived experience.
To kickstart the campaign, the team donated an initial $25,000. This funding is earmarked for the work of Dr. Mousumi Majumder, who established the university’s Cancer Cell and Molecular Research Laboratory in 2023. The partnership represents a symbiotic relationship where the survivors provide the “soul” and urgency of the mission, while the laboratory provides the scientific rigor necessary to improve future outcomes.
Breaking the Silence of Survival
The necessity of such a community is perhaps best understood through the lens of those who survived before the era of widespread awareness. Betty Stewart, 86, has been a fixture of the Waves of Hope team since its inception in 1999. But, her journey began much earlier, with a diagnosis in 1987.
At the time, Stewart recalls that the medical journey was defined by a suffocating silence. While she felt supported by her family and medical team, the disease itself was shrouded in social stigma. “Nobody talked about breast cancer,” Stewart said. “There wasn’t anybody really to talk to. And, very little information available at that time.”
For Stewart, the shift from isolation to empowerment has been fueled by the bonds formed on the water. The team has evolved into a surrogate family, providing a space where women can face adversity without the burden of explanation. “The more the people know about breast cancer, the easier it is to cope with and offer you the strength that you need,” she said.
The Science of the ‘Backyard’ Lab
From a clinical perspective, the work being done in Dr. Majumder’s laboratory is critical given that of the heterogeneity of breast cancer. Not all diagnoses are the same, and some subtypes are significantly more challenging to treat. One such area of focus in the Brandon University lab is triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
TNBC is a particularly aggressive form of the disease because it lacks the three most common receptors—estrogen, progesterone, and HER2—that many targeted therapies rely on to work. This makes the search for new molecular markers and early detection methods a high priority for oncology research.
Michelle Gerrard, the manager of the Waves of Hope team, knows this struggle intimately. A 23-year survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, Gerrard joined the team immediately following her diagnosis. She describes the experience of treatment as both overwhelming and traumatizing, noting that the shared bond among survivors is rooted in a “shared trauma.”
For Dr. Majumder, the connection to these women is a vital part of the scientific process. She describes speaking with survivors as “talking to your soul,” suggesting that the human element of the disease drives the intellectual pursuit of a cure.
The Impact of Direct Funding
In the world of academic medicine, the “grant cycle” can often act as a barrier to rapid discovery. Researchers typically spend a significant portion of their time hunting for, applying for, and defending grants to secure the funds necessary to keep their labs running.
Direct community funding, such as the “Hope in Our Backyard” campaign, changes this dynamic. Dr. Majumder noted that every dollar donated allows her to spend more time performing actual research in the lab rather than managing the administrative burdens of grant seeking.
“These dragon boat ladies, they are not just paddling the boat, they are actually paddling the boat of knowledge,” Majumder said.
Fundraising Roadmap: Hope in Our Backyard
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Fundraising Goal | $150,000 |
| Target Deadline | 2029 |
| Initial Donation | $25,000 |
| Beneficiary | Brandon University Cancer Cell and Molecular Research Laboratory |
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
As the Waves of Hope team continues its multi-year push, the focus remains on a dual mission: providing immediate emotional support for those currently navigating a diagnosis and funding the scientific breakthroughs that will define the next generation of care. The team will continue to hold community events and educational sessions as they work toward their 2029 financial milestone.
We invite you to share your thoughts on community-led medical research in the comments below.
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