Josette Poliquin and Nicole A. Paiement off to Australia

"I never expected to be doing anything like this at this point in my life," says 64-year-old Josette Poliquin with a chuckle, "but it's very exciting." Diagnosed with breast cancer 26 years ago and operated on in 1981, Josette has been cancer-free ever since. She, like all her teammates, is an inspiration to millions of women who battle the disease, providing tangible proof that cancer can be beaten; that a breast cancer diagnosis is not a life sentence.

The sport of dragon boating has long been associated with breast cancer, since it began to be used as a source of rehabilitative physical activity and a show of support in the early 80s. A member of a breast cancer survivor boat once referred to her boat, as a "floating support system".

Josette has been a member of Montreal-based "Two Abreast" since 2002. The team is celebrating its 12th anniversary and includes women of all ages and all backgrounds who have one connecting link: they're all survivors of breast cancer.