16th Annual FL Fuller Landau Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race

Weekend dragon boat race event raises more than $350,000 for cancer patients.

The annual FL Fuller Landau Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race made it back on the water yesterday and raised money to improve the lives of Cedars CanSupport patients and their families.

MONTRÉAL, September 13, 2021 – The 16th edition of the FL Fuller Landau Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race was held yesterday at the Promenade Père-Marquette in Lachine. Despite the significant challenges of hosting a fundraising event during the pandemic, the event raised over $350,000 with the help of dedicated paddlers and sponsors, all while respecting the most rigorous health and safety regulations.

“We were incredibly happy to be able to hold the event in person again this year,” said Jeff Shamie, President and CEO of Cedars Cancer Foundation, which funds cutting-edge cancer research and care at the MUHC. “The event is fun and exciting. It also happens to be the most important fundraiser for our CanSupport program, which provides much-needed support and services to people of all ages who are undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as to their family members.”

Founded in 2006, the Dragon Boat Race had humble beginnings, with just six boats and a few dozen participants. Thanks to the ongoing support of FL Fuller Landau, which has been the event’s title sponsor since 2007, it has grown considerably. It now attracts up to 500 participants every year and has raised over $6 million for Cedars CanSupport over the years.

“Without FL Fuller Landau, the event would not be what it is today, and we would not have been able to host it at all this year. Their outstanding generosity not only makes this event possible, but also enables us to provide programs and services that make a tangible difference in people’s lives every day,” stated Mr. Shamie. “We are also grateful to the City of Lachine, which helped us understand and implement the government’s pandemic health and safety protocols – and therefore provide a safe environment for all our participants,” he added.

Due to the pandemic, the event had to be scaled-back and modified this year, but that did not dampen the spirits of the 19 teams who participated. In addition to the races, the event included a touching commemorative ceremony, during which paddlers placed flowers on the water to honour loved ones who are battling cancer or who lost their lives to the disease.

“I would like to thank everyone who raised money for CanSupport and who came out to paddle today,” added Dr. Virginia Lee, Director of Cedars CanSupport. “Cancer touches everyone, and, thanks to your donations, we can help more people along their difficult journey. We look forward to hosting the Dragon Boat Race again next year, on a larger scale.”