‘Rad Rowing’ in the Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Race

Dragon boat
The Fox Chase’s Department of Radiation Oncology had such an excellent time at the Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Race on June 15th. 

The only way to make dragon boat racing with friends and colleagues even more fun is when it’s for a great cause! That was why our team from Fox Chase’s Department of Radiation Oncology had such an excellent time at the Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Race on June 15th. 

The race is a fundraiser that aims to raise awareness of breast cancer, with all proceeds being donated to local programs that provide free services to breast cancer patients and survivors. Radiation Oncology PA Christine Kerrigan, MHS, PA-C led the team as coach and drummer, and Eric M. Horwitz, MD, FABS, FASTRO, Professor and Gerald E. Hanks, MD Chair in Radiation Oncology, and Christine Bloom, MHA, CRA, AVP of Radiation Oncology, sponsoring the boat through the Chair’s Fund. 

“What stood out to me was the diversity in the boat,” Bloom recalls. “There were therapists, nurses, administrative staff, and physicists, all working hard and laughing together. It was a great day for Radiation Oncology—and a way for us to honor our patients and loved ones who have, or have had, breast cancer.” 

“Our team came in second place in the first heat, and first place in the second heat,” Dr. Horwitz explains. “They qualified for the championship, and then they came in third.” 

“It was a fabulous experience,” Kerrigan says. “We plan to race again next year!”

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

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