Purpose

	Every year in the Geneva area alone, over 2000 people hear those terrifying words, “You have cancer”. An estimated 600 of them are a part of the international community in which English is the primary language. The English Speaking Cancer Association was started to respond to the specific needs of these patients and their loved ones. Our trained volunteers, many of whom are cancer survivors, come from all corners of the globe with one thing in common: we communicate in English and we want to help. The goal of the PADDLEforCANCER Dragonboat Festival is to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage those living with cancer to live full and active lives. This is ESCA’s way to send a message of hope to people living with this disease and to those who support them. The English Speaking Cancer Association (ESCA) is a registered nonprofit association of volunteers providing emotional support, practical help and information in English to cancer patients, their carers and loved ones. PADDLEforCANCER is the ESCA awareness and fund-raising campaign aimed at corporations, organisations and the general public. The 2010 Dragonboat Festival on the Lac de Joux will be the 4th annual campaign.
The Campaign
The PADDLEforCANCER campaign involves the sponsorship of dragonboats and amateur dragonboat paddling teams racing against each other. Media coverage will highlight the direct (and highly positive) link between breast cancer rehabilitation and paddling as well as the increasing move toward corporate social responsibility among enterprises and organisations. The English Speaking Cancer Association’s biggest hope is that ESCA PADDLEforCANCER becomes a part of the lifestyle in the Swiss Romand region and be seen as a positive means for : Cancer survivors to better manage their post-treatment improve their quality of life and increase their chances of survival Corporations to team build Families to bond Communities to get involved in the movement to help cancer survivors and in the fight against cancer
Sponsoring
Your sponsorship of a PADDLEforCANCER racing team will make possible the 4th ESCA PADDLEforCANCER Dragonboat Festival on the Lac de Joux on September 5, 2010. The pilot project of 2007 and each year thereafter have proven to be a huge success and have ensured a festival on a yearly basis.
Proceeds
Proceeds from the festival will be used to fund the expansion and elaboration of our on-going projects: Drop-in Centre with comprehensive library of books, pamphlets, CDs and videos on cancer issues Professional Counselling Services for cancer patients and their loved ones Continued Training and Supervision for ESCA volunteers, many of whom are cancer survivors themselves Special events such as the annual ESCA Open Day, an “awareness fair” that brings together cancer patients, family and friends, specialists, therapists, medical and non-medical suppliers highlighted by a respected keynote speaker October’s International Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Paediatric Oncology Unit at the Geneva Cantonal Hospital.