For the fourth year in a row, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival has surpassed its fundraising goal — donating a record-breaking $400,104.01 for breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).
Volunteers from the 2025 festival’s organizing committee and the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team presented a cheque to PRHC Foundation representatives on Monday (October 6) at the hospital’s cafeteria, representing the proceeds from the 24th edition of the festival held on June 14 at Del Crary Park.
With last year’s festival exceeding its fundraising goal of $251,825.18 by $60,200 to raise a then-record-breaking $312,025.18 for the PRHC Foundation, festival organizers increased this year’s goal to $260,018.01 — with the numbers representing the two in five Canadians who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, the original $60 million fundraising goal for the Campaign for PRHC (now $70 million), the one in eight women who will develop breast cancer, and .01 per cent of men who will also develop breast cancer.
This year’s festival saw 73 teams and over 1,400 paddlers generating more than 3,725 donations that pushed the total funds raised to $400,104.01 — $140,086 over this year’s fundraising goal and the largest amount the festival has ever raised.
“I am in awe of the community’s enthusiasm, generosity and desire to make such a big difference for our hospital, our community and the people we love,” said festival chair Michelle Thornton as she addressed paddlers, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and other attendees. “Over 3,725 donations were made by individuals this year, ranging from $5 to $5,000, and every single one of them helped us smash our goal.”
“Some of you are here for your first time, witnessing the results of our collective efforts. I hope you realize just how much of an impact your contribution, big or small has made. Because of you and our combined efforts, someone’s cancer will be caught early and receive the best possible outcome. Because of you someone won’t have to travel for their treatments and they won’t incur those additional expenses. Because of you, someone will be able to stay close to their friends and family, during one of their most challenging times. You make a real difference, whether you know it or not and the value of that is immeasurable.”
Hosted by the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival was first launched in June 2001 as Liberty Mutual’s “Day on the Water”, becoming Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival the following year. Over the past 24 years, it has raised more than $4.9 million for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment in the Peterborough region.
“Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival continues to break records and show what’s possible when a community comes together for a cause that touches us all,” said PRHC Foundation president and CEO Lesley Heighway as she accepted the largest gift to the foundation in the history of the festival.
“The money raised through this incredible event will help bring cutting-edge technology like digital pathology to PRHC for the first time. With cancer diagnoses on the rise, this state-of-the-art advancement will mean PRHC’s care teams can provide faster, more accurate diagnoses and begin treatment sooner. This outstanding fundraiser is possible because of the passion, dedication, and generosity of everyone involved, from the paddlers to the donors, sponsors, volunteers, the Survivors Abreast dragon boat team and Festival organizers. Thank you for making such an extraordinary impact on cancer care in our region.”
One hundred per cent of all pledges to the festival are able to be donated to the PRHC Foundation thanks to the sponsors who cover the costs of hosting the event, including Kawartha Credit Union, which has been the festival’s presenting sponsor every year since 2001.
“Cancer touches so many lives in our community, including those of our employees and members,” said Kawartha Credit Union president and CEO Norah McCarthy. “The generosity and spirit shown by everyone involved in Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival is truly inspiring. At Kawartha, we believe in the power of community to create real, lasting impact — and this year’s festival’s success is a perfect example of that.”
Planning for the 25th anniversary edition of the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival on June 13, 2026 will begin soon and take place over the next several months. Anyone wishing to volunteer their time and skills can email Thornton at michellethornton.365@gmail.com.
