The 24th installment of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival was nothing short of extraordinary – once again breaking their own donation record and inspiring waves of support for cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).
On October 6, the PRHC Foundation welcomed members of the Festival Planning Committee, the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team, Platinum Sponsor Kawartha Credit Union, paddlers, volunteers and supporters to celebrate the Festival’s historic achievement: A record-breaking donation of $400,104.01, the largest single gift in the Festival’s history!
While 2024 was a phenomenal year and set a new benchmark, 2025 has officially topped it with this outstanding total. Funds raised through the Festival are donated to the PRHC Foundation and will be used to help fund world-class cancer care at PRHC.
“Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival continues to smash records and show what’s possible when a community comes together for a cause that touches us all,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “This incredible donation will help bring cutting-edge technology like digital pathology to our region for the first time, helping PRHC’s pathologists keep pace with rising demand and improving care for thousands of cancer patients from across our region.”
With cancer diagnoses on the rise, timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions are critical.
“There are fewer pathologists doing more work than ever,” says Dr. Katie O’Reilly, pathologist and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at PRHC. “Digital pathology will dramatically assist pathologists with high-resolution images, increased accuracy, AI support and fast digital sharing with specialists at other locations when consultation is needed. This means our cancer care teams can deliver faster, more precise diagnoses, so treatment can begin sooner.”
Held in June at Del Crary Park, this year’s Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival featured more than dragon boat races. Attendees enjoyed a vendor market, a lively beer garden, and a family fun zone.
“This fundraiser is possible because of the passion, dedication and generosity of everyone involved from Festival Chair Michelle Thornton, organizers and the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team, to all of the paddlers, donors, sponsors and volunteers,” says Heighway. “Thank you so much for your tremendous generosity.”
The Festival Planning Committee is already looking ahead to next year! Save the date for the 25th anniversary edition of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival: June 13, 2026 at Little Lake.
Photo above: Celebrating the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival’s record-breaking donation from left to right are PRHC nurse and cancer patient Kristen Locke, Kawartha Credit Union District Manager Michelle Finley, PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway, PRHC pathologist and Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine Dr. Katie O’Reilly, and Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival Chair Michelle Thornton.