Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Team Holds Inspiring Eye Dotting Ceremony

In a moving display of strength, unity, and tradition, a local breast cancer survivor dragon boat team marked the beginning of their paddling season with an eye dotting ceremony—a culturally significant ritual meant to awaken the spirit of the dragon and bless the boat and its crew.
The event, held on the scenic waterfront of Lake Parsippany, brought together team members, supporters, friends and families. Known as “Pink Lightning”, the team is composed entirely of breast cancer fighters and survivors, who have embraced dragon boat racing not only as a sport but as a powerful form of healing and camaraderie.
The eye dotting ceremony, also known as “Hua Jing,” is an ancient Chinese tradition that dates back thousands of years. By painting the eyes of the dragon head mounted on the prow of the boat, participants are believed to awaken the dragon’s spirit, bringing good fortune and safe travels on the water.
As the ceremony began, new members Marie Macrone and Karolina Alford dipped their brushes in red paint and carefully dotted the eyes of the dragon as their team members looked on.
After the ritual, the team held a pink Flower ceremony in remembrance of those we have lost to breast cancer. A moment of silence was held as pink carnations were tossed into the lake.
As Pink Lightning gears up for the season’s races and community events, the eye dotting ceremony remains a spiritual anchor—a reminder of where they’ve been, and the uncharted waters still to conquer.
“We race to honor the lives we’ve lived, and those we’ve lost,” said new paddler Marie Macrone. “But more than that, we race to celebrate the life we still have—and to show others that there is joy and power on the other side of breast cancer.”
Dragon boating has become a global movement among breast cancer survivors, ever since a 1996 study in Canada showed the benefits of upper-body exercise in reducing lymphedema and improving recovery. Since then, survivor teams have formed in dozens of countries, using the sport to promote health, healing, and awareness.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team, please find more information on our website https://www.pink-lightning.org