The Whitemarsh Boat Club in Conshohocken is home to the Philadelphia affiliate of WeCanRow, a national program for breast cancer survivors, writes the IBX Insights Team for PhillyVoice.

Founded in Boston in 2002, the program gives women the chance to become active participants in their cancer recovery.

Together, the participants row on Monday evenings down the Schuylkill River garbed in pink shirts. This helps them build strength and rediscover the joy of movement. Rowing helps them improve both their physical and mental health.

The Conshohocken group started in 2018 with just a handful of participants. It was facilitated by Dale Parenti, a rower and breast cancer survivor. Today, the group has over 30 active members in various age groups.

Those with no previous rowing experience are happy to find that it is easy to fully immerse themselves in the sport.

“A lot of breast cancer survivors often feel betrayed by our bodies when we are diagnosed with cancer, especially when we’ve taken good care of ourselves,” said Sue Ryan, PsyD, a psychologist and WeCanRow member.

“When we row, we have to make friends with our body again.”

Read more about  WeCanRow at PhillyVoice.

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Learn more about We Can Row Philadelphia.