Dr. Donald McKenzie, a sport medicine expert, has changed the lives of women after breast cancer. Through his groundbreaking research project, Don challenged a longstanding medical myth that women with breast cancer should not compete in strenuous upper body exercise. He launched a program in 1996 called Abreast in a Boat where Vancouver breast cancer survivors trained and competed in the annual Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival. The project showed that paddling improved not only the physical health of its participants but also the mental health. Today, over 2000 Abreast in a Boat paddlers in British Columbia and throughout the world participate, all as a result of Dr. McKenzie’s deep personal and professional commitment.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that honours excellence and inspires achievement in British Columbia.