Donna Reise is challenging her body to take her on the voyage of a lifetime -- and raising money for Wellwood while she does it.

A longtime Wellwood volunteer and an enthusiastic member of the Knot A Breast dragon boat team, Reise will be joined by two friends and fellow team members as she paddles a 746 km marathon race in Yukon Territory this summer.  "Make sure you mention that last six kilometres!" Reise says, laughing.

Knot A Breast is a local team of athletes, comprised of women and men who have had breast cancer.  The group itself is a tribute to the courage and determination of its membership, and has been called, by some, a "floating support group."  It has a long history with Wellwood, a local centre dedicated to helping people to live well with cancer and offering a range of supportive programs, free-of-charge to anyone affected by this disease, including those who have been diagnosed, their family, friends, caregiver and health care providers.  Based at Henderson, Wellwood is embarking on a major expansion this year, opening a second, community-based site on the grounds of Chedoke late this summer.

Reise was inspired by Sue McCullough and Alexis O'Connor, both Knot A Breast members.  These women attempted to do this race last year, but the boat sprung a leak and the team was pulled at the halfway point.  They are very determined to finish what they started last year.  Three other women from Ontario and two from the Yukon are also on this year's team.

The team has to complete the race in less than four days, starting at noon on June 24.  There are only two compulsory stops:  the first, at about the half way point, for seven hours, and the second, a three hour stop after the rapids.   The Yukon River has very few road access points and very few people living along its banks.  "We have to be prepared and equipped to be self sufficient for a couple of days," explains Reise.  "Hypothermia and fatigue will be our greatest challenges."

And why take on such a monumental challenge?

"I am celebrating my 60th birthday this year," Reise says.  "I call it 'Celebrating 60' because there have been many times in the past 20 years where I didn't think I would reach this age, so I'm doing it with a splash."

To show your support for the team, visit wellwood.on.ca and click on the link "Sponsor our Paddlers" or call 905-389-5884.