Paddle for a Purpose
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer McDonnell (702) 327-0662
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals to Host
Third Annual Rose Regatta Dragon Boat Race and Festival
(October 8, 2010; Henderson, Nev.) In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, St. Rose Dominican Hospitals is hosting the third annual Rose Regatta Dragon Boat Race and Festival at The Village, Lake Las Vegas today, Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sixty-three dragon boat teams – each with 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson – from Nevada, California, Colorado and Canada will compete to raise funds to benefit St. Rose Dominican Hospitals’ breast health services including medical care and psychosocial support for uninsured women and men facing breast cancer. Three of the dragon boat teams are comprised solely of breast cancer survivors.
“Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the country,” said Rod Davis, president and CEO of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals and senior vice president of operations, CHW Nevada. “The response we have received from dragon boat teams across the country and in Canada wanting to participate in this fundraising festival has been overwhelming.”
In addition to the dragon boat races, which begin at 8 a.m., the festival will include activities such as:
• Flowers on the Water Ceremony – This ceremony honors women currently living with breast cancer and those who lost their lives to the disease. A regular ritual at dragon boat races with breast cancer survivor teams, survivors and supporters assemble near the foot bridge in their dragon boats. After a few words, participants toss flowers into the water as a celebration of survival and to remember those lost.
• Painted Paddles Gallery – Paddles painted by breast cancer survivors or those touched by the disease will be on display.
• Light the Way Lantern Tribute – Traditional Chinese lanterns will adorn the floating stage at The Village with dedications to those affected by breast cancer.
• Entertainment – Entertainment and activities will run during the race and The Village shops and restaurants will be open for your enjoyment.
For more information, please visit www.roseregatta.org.
About St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report recognized St. Rose Dominican Hospitals-Siena Campus as one of the best hospitals in the Las Vegas metropolitan area for 2011-2012 for the specialty area of Gynecology and the San Martín Campus for the specialty area of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The Siena Campus also received the 2011 HealthInsight Quality Award, which recognizes hospitals that achieve a high level of performance on publicly reported quality of care data. The Rose de Lima Campus has been recognized by Avatar International, an industry leader in healthcare quality improvement services, as one of its most innovative hospital partners in 2010. As the community’s only not-for-profit, religiously sponsored hospital, St. Rose Dominican Hospitals is guided by the vision and core values of Dignity Health. As the community grows, St. Rose’s mission is to serve people in need. For more information, visit www.strosehospitals.org.
