In 2006, we decided to share our passion for dragon boating with our community. The result is The Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival. It is a labor of love for our Dragonheart team who works year round to make this charity event so amazing. Thanks to our enthusiastic community, the LCDBF has been a roaring success. Thousands of paddlers experience teamwork at its best. Spectators are entertained and inspired by activities presented at the Waterfront Park and the races on the waters of Lake Champlain. Best of all, we have been fortunate to give back to our community and help those in need. Through the festival efforts, Dragonheart Vermont has given away over $1.1 million in sixteen years’ time to cancer-related needs right here in our community. Your fundraising efforts have fueled these amazing results!
Festival Year | Pledge Partner | Donated Amount | Proceeds Allocated for |
2006 | FAHC Radiation Oncology Dept. | $35,000 | Ultrasound machine |
2007 | Vermont Respite House/Hospice | $40,000 | State-of-the art hospital beds & equipment |
2008 | Cancer Patient Support Program’s Emergency Fund | $90,000
| Emergency Fund support for cancer survivor’s in need |
2009 | Vermont’s Camp Ta-Kum-Ta | $110,000 | Activities Cabin |
2010 | Vermont’s Camp Ta-Kum-Ta | $105,000 | Activities Cabin |
2011 | Survivorship NOW | $118,450 | Empowering wellness programs for cancer survivors |
2012 | Survivorship NOW | $100,125 | Empowering wellness programs for cancer survivors |
2013 | Survivorship NOW | $72,500 | Empowering wellness programs for cancer survivors |
2014 | Survivorship NOW | $75,500 | Empowering wellness programs for cancer survivors |
2015 | Survivorship NOW | $72,000 | Empowering wellness programs for cancer survivors |
2016 | Survivorship NOW | $75,000 | Empowering wellness programs for cancer survivors |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: UVM Medical Center Physical Therapy Department | $3000 | Lymphedema garments to cancer survivors in need to help manage the chronic painful swelling condition known as lymphedema |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Vermont Cancer Survivor Network | $3000 | Expansion of their Kindred Connections program with further recruitment and training of cancer survivors in the six VT counties |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Hope Lodge | $2000 | Needed supplies for this home-away –from-home for families as loved ones get cancer treatments |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Touch Caring and Cancer Workshops | $2000 | Hands-on experiential workshops for cancer patients and their family/friends, at 8 different locations across Northern Vermont |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Vermont Bodhi & Mind | $2160 | Private instruction of yoga personalized to breast cancer survivors with physical, mental, and emotional support during their breast cancer journey. |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Young Survivor Network | $500 | Funding for a group activity for young cancer survivors under 40 years old. |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Cancer Patient Support Program | $3000 | Emergency Fund support for cancer survivor’s in need |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Vermonters Take Action Against Cancer | $2000 | Supporting the cancer advocacy coalition whose goals are to help carry out the VT Cancer Plan |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Healing Circles | $2000 | Providing funds for empowering activities for cancer survivors in St. Albans |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Central Vermont Medical Center Cancer Support Group | $2000 | Providing funds for empowering programs for cancer survivors in Central VT |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Healing Circles | $2000 | Providing funds for empowering activities for cancer survivors in St. Albans |
2017 | Survivorship Disbursement: Steps to Wellness Yoga Fund
| $3000 | Creation of a yoga program specific for cancer survivors to help with the management of pain |
2017 | Vermont’s Camp Ta-Kum-Ta | $34,300 | Raising funds for an all-purpose dining pavilion for this camp program for children with cancer |
2018 | Integrative Therapies at The UVM Cancer Center | $53,500 | Launching a new therapies program to improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors |
2019 | McClure Miller Respite House | $32,000 | Establishing a “Care Fund” to improve access to care regardless of ability to pay |
2020 | Integrative Therapies at the UVMMC Cancer Center | $15,000 | Cancer continues during COVID and so does our support |
2020 | Vermont Cancer Support Network | $5,000 | Cancer continues during COVID and so does our support |
2021 | Cancer Patient Support Foundation | $23,261 | Emergency Fund |
2022 | Cancer Patient Support Foundation | $33,739 | Emergency Fund |
2023 | McClure Miller Respite House | $33,238 | Contribution to the “Care Fund” to improve access to care regardless of ability to pay |
2023 | Mahana Magic | $2,500 | Support children in families impacted by cancer |
2023 | Vermont Cancer Support Network | $2,500 | Support transportation and lodging for those undergoing cancer treatment |