Dragonheart Vermont, a breast cancer and survivor dragon boat organization, is pleased to announce a generous contribution to Survivorship NOW made by the Vermont Hard Cider Company, LLC ‘ makers of Woodchuck Hard Cider. Based in Middlebury and grounded in the Green Mountain State, the Vermont Hard Cider Company is the leading hard cider producer in the United States. Their latest cider, Woodchuck® Private Reserve Pink, features packaging that promotes cancer awareness and the need for ongoing support for survivors. The cider will be sold across the United States from February through May 2013.
‘ Woodchuck takes great pride in the work it does within the Vermont community,’ said Vermont Hard Cider President and CEO Bret Williams. ‘ We want to make an investment that will foster a brighter and stronger state of mind amongst our neighbors. We proudly make this donation to Dragonheart’ s Survivorship NOW knowing it will directly benefit cancer survivors in our community.’
Survivorship NOW is the culmination of a 2-year effort by Dragonheart Vermont to create on-going wellness programs to support and empower cancer survivors in our community to live well after their clinical cancer treatment ends. Vermont cancer survivors can take part in wellness programs to reap the benefit of exercise, nutrition, connection, education, and support. Nothing in life prepares someone to be a cancer survivor. Knowing what steps to take after diagnosis and treatment can be bewildering. Reclaiming a life once cancer has taken hold is a challenge and a lifelong mission.
The need is very real. Cancer survivors often feel isolated after their initial cancer treatments are completed. According to Linda Dyer, a 19 year breast cancer survivor,
‘ The cancer experience can be isolating. Reaching out and connecting with other cancer survivors that have already gone through the cancer experience can empower the individual to become stronger emotionally, physically and spiritually. This is our mission with Survivorship NOW’
Classes include yoga, strength’ building, healthy cooking classes, art therapy, writing therapy, understanding lymphedema, a walking series, managing fatigue, and many others. Any adult cancer survivor can sign up to take free wellness class by going to the Survivorship NOW website, www.survivorshipnowvt.org/calendar. Survivorship NOW’ s facility is located at the White Cap Business Park in Williston.
Survivorship NOW is funded with money raised at the annual Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival held each August in Burlington. Thousands of participants, donors, sponsors, and volunteers come together to this charity event to raise funds to benefit Dragonheart Vermont and Survivorship NOW. Now in its 8th year, the 2013 Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival will be held Sunday, August 4th at Waterfront Park and feature 64 community teams and 10 breast cancer survivor teams, over 1800 participants, racing for fun, fitness and fundraising.
What began in a rural Vermont garage in 1991 has captured the attention of aficionados across the country and around the world. Now the Vermont Hard Cider Company has joined forces with the largest hard cider maker in the world’ Ireland’ s C & C Group. Together they will continue to grow the Woodchuck brand and yet stay firmly rooted in Vermont. Their decision to support Dragonheart’ s Survivorship NOW and our cancer wellness center is one example of their dedication to our Vermont community.
Survivorship NOW will receive a boost from this generous $50,000 donation from Vermont Hard Cider Company. Linda Dyer says, ‘ Dragonheart is so thankful to the people at Vermont Hard Cider Company. Their willingness to put their efforts into supporting our Vermont Community with the Woodchuck Pink Cider will go a long way to help keep these cancer wellness programs free to survivors in our area. It will also help spread the word about the need for empowering cancer programs in communities all around the entire country.’