Is there anything they can't do? Of course, the discussion point is the Women Alike A Breast A River Dragon Boat team. This past Sunday, the ladies, all survivors of breast cancer, paddled ... that's right, paddled ... from the Marina in New Glasgow to the Hector Heritage Quay in Pictou.

Why? Two very important reasons. First, it's something this group of courageous women has always wanted to do. It was a milestone they wanted to achieve as a group, for their families and the entire county. It was a sign. If they can do this, we can achieve in our lives too. The second reason may sound silly, but it is the best reason in the world, especially for this group of cancer survivors. They did it simply because they could. No magic, no spiritual reason and no glory.

These women wanted to achieve something and that's exactly what they did. In fact, this group of women has been achieving for some time. The last several months alone, some of these brave women have traveled from China to British Columbia and beyond. In late October 2004, four members of this special bond of women Ð Shirley Murray, Mel Swarbrick, Rosann Seviour and Susan Hartley Ð traveled to Shanghai to take part in the Fifth International Dragon Boat Federation World Championship Races. Just eight months later, the Women Alike celebrated the 10th anniversary of the introduction of dragon boating in Vancouver. Not a lot of people are geography majors, but that's traveling the world!

It's amazing that with all this travel and all the different dragon boat events, these women still had a desire to conquer even more. For most of these women, there have been many hardships. But as these women prove every time they step into their boat, with hardships, great friendships are born. And more than a great dragon boat team, more than excellent community leaders and role models, these women are great friends to one another. The Women Alike are truly inspirational to us all.

The trek last Sunday took the ladies approximately two hours. It wasn't a race and they traveled uncharted waters so they took it casually and enjoyed the scenery, the accomplishment and the bond they all share. Besides, can anyone think of a better way to spend two hours?