The Dragon's Mark
Since 2004, Dragonheart Vermont has grown from one borrowed boat and a handful of breast cancer survivors to a 200+ member dragon boat organization that competes on the world stage and raises real money for cancer survivors in Vermont. Here's what that looks like.
Fundraising Impact — Over $1 Million for Vermont Cancer Survivors
Through the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival and year-round fundraising efforts, Dragonheart Vermont has donated over $1 million to Vermont-based cancer-related charities in our community since 2006. One hundred percent of festival donations stay local.
Where the Money Goes
Every dollar raised by Dragonheart Vermont supports cancer survivors in Vermont. Our annual pledge partners and community investments include:
Sail Beyond Cancer Vermont (2025 pledge partner)
"Thanks to Dragonheart Vermont's extraordinary $25,000 gift, Sail Beyond Cancer Vermont is able to launch new outreach efforts, strengthen volunteer training, and provide even more free, private sails to individuals and families challenged by cancer. This investment directly fuels our mission so we can meet growing demand and ensure that no one who needs a moment of respite on the water has to wait. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and for Dragonheart Vermont's unwavering commitment to lifting up our community."
Cancer Patient Support Foundation (2021, 2022 and 2026 pledge partner)
"Dragonheart Vermont is especially proud to join forces with CPSF this year to acknowledge and celebrate our many years of supporting cancer patients, survivors, and their supporters."
CPSF provides emergency financial assistance to Vermont cancer patients for essential needs: housing, heating, utilities, food, transportation to treatment, and out-of-pocket medical costs. Since 2001, their Emergency Fund has distributed over $3.3 million to local cancer patients. In 2023, Dragonheart Vermont donated $33,738.70 to CPSF.
McClure Miller Respite House (2019 and 2023). Dragonheart Vermont has donated over $65,000 to support patients who are in need of financial assistance.
McClure Miller Respite House’s mission is to serve all. And not just to serve all, but to make sure that anyone who needs end-of-life care in our residence gets the same care that anyone else gets. Community support, like that from the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival, allows us to do that so we can make sure that everyone, regardless of insurance status, residence or location, or any other kind of characteristic is treated equally.
Christine Werneke, President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice.
UVM Osher Center for Integrated Health (2024)
Dragonheart Vermont donated $15,000 in festival proceeds to UVM's integrative health programs for cancer patients.
Community Infrastructure
Dragonheart Vermont has used festival proceeds to replace the docks at Burlington's Community Boat Launch, serving the entire city, and added an adaptive kayak launch for paddlers with disabilities.
Ultrasound Machine (2006)
One of the organization's earliest community investments: funding for an ultrasound machine for the radiation therapy department in the club's first year of festival fundraising.
See Our Full Fundraising History Donate to Support Our Mission
Who We Are by the Numbers — Membership Data
Want to know who's in our club? Here's a look at where Dragonheart Vermont stands. And how it's changed.
Growth
Dragonheart Vermont has grown from about 175 members in 2020 to nearly 250 in 2025. That's steady, sustainable growth, and the club is still climbing.
Breast Cancer Survivors in Our Club
About one-quarter to one-third of our members are breast cancer survivors. As the club has grown, the number of BCS paddlers has held steady, which means their proportion of the club is smaller than it used to be. That's part of why Dragonheart Vermont launched a fundraising campaign in 2025 to reduce membership costs for breast cancer survivors, bringing annual dues from $300 down to $100 for 2026.
Gender
Most of our members are women (75% to 80%) and that's been consistent over the years. But men are welcome, always have been, and they're an important part of every team on the water.
Age
Most Dragonheart Vermont members are over 50, but that's been changing. In 2020, only 33 members were under 50. By 2025, that number was 82 — despite everyone being five years older. The club is getting younger even as it grows, and there's room for paddlers of every age.
Where Our Members Come From
Our members are mostly Vermonters, but about 6% live out of state. Within Vermont, the majority come from Chittenden County. Another 14% travel regularly from Franklin, Addison and Washington counties to practice and train in Burlington.
What People Say About Dragonheart Vermont
We can talk about our impact all day, but the people who live it say it better. Here's what Dragonheart Vermont looks like from the inside, in the words of our members, sponsors, and festival partners.
From Our Members
These are the people who paddle with us. Hear what Dragonheart Vermont means to them in their own words.
Deb Loughlin — Member Testimonial
"For us it's about the bond: having a place where you can go and people you can be around and they get it. You don't have to say anything. You could just say, 'I need a hug today.' Some people drum, some people run — for us, it's paddle."
Peggy & Ed — Member Testimonial
"I don't want to stand on the side and be a spectator. I want to be part of it. The beauty of it is it's a very inclusive sport."
Zach — Member Testimonial
"I've gotten invited over for family dinners and spent holidays with members of the team. That level of social connection really made my experience here in Vermont what it has been. And it's been incredible."
From Festival Sponsors and Participants
"There's often a lot of stress involved with putting an event together, but you didn't feel any of that from the Dragonheart people. It was just always upbeat, supportive, smiles on everyone's faces — they were genuinely having fun." — Jed Nelson, VP of Marketing, Union Bank (festival sponsor & team)
"You want to sponsor? You're not going to regret it. There are so many great things that will happen when you do. You're giving back." — Breeanna Blanchette, Branch Manager, Union Bank (festival sponsor & team)
"It's become such a huge camaraderie thing. All these people focused on this sport that’s also all about health and wellness. It's really incredible when you think that the vast majority of what we are doing down at the waterfront is all done by volunteers." — Lynn Bryan, UVM Health Network (festival sponsor, team participant, and Dragonheart VT member)
"Every time I come away from that event each year I always say, 'Oh my god, that was my favorite one.'" — Nicholas Martin, Director of Business Development, Burlington Telecom
"We chose Dragonheart Vermont because we believe in supporting our community in as many ways as we can. We care about people in our community and the causes that are out there." — Jorie Spaulding, Marketing Manager, Burlington Telecom
"It's easy to say yes. Great members of the community who are doing great things, raising a million dollars in 16 years. 'Will you help us?' Yeah, absolutely. We're going to help every single time, every year, for sure." — Bill Sargent, Program Director, WOKO / Hall Communications
"To see these teams of 30 people piling in a boat and paddling for all their worth down this relatively short race course: the teamwork that engenders, the fun that they have raising money for a great cause. It's a lot of fun." — Jon Brooks, Morning Host, KOOL 105.1 / Hall Communications
The Mark We're Still Making
Twenty years in, Dragonheart Vermont is still growing, still competing, and still raising money for cancer survivors in Vermont. The next chapter is being written by every paddler who shows up to practice, every community team that forms for the festival, and every dollar that goes back to the people who need it.
There's always room in the boat.