Breast Cancer Survivors Row to Historic UK Regatta

When Shannan McConnell discovered a lump near her neck on Valentine's Day 2022, she wondered if she'd ever feel strong or adventurous again. Three years later, the 46-year-old from Media is rowing across the Atlantic to compete at one of the world's most prestigious regattas.

McConnell is part of WeCanRow-Philadelphia, a rowing program at Whitemarsh Boat Club for breast cancer survivors. This weekend, she and her teammates will make history as the first cancer survivor crew to compete at the Henley Masters Regatta in England.

The program started in Philadelphia in 2018 and now has 46 members who practice together on the Schuylkill River. For many, it's become much more than exercise.

"WeCanRow is everything about community, about mentoring, about encouraging, about connection, about hope," said Susan Ryan, 61, of Eagleville. "It's the on-water support group that isn't."

The team isn't just surviving. They're winning. WeCanRow-Philly has competed twice at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, taking first place in the exhibition survivor events in both 2024 and 2025.

Now they're raising the bar even higher. From July 10 to 12, five members will fill an exhibition boat at Henley-on-Thames, marking the regatta's first dedicated cancer survivor rowing event.

Bonnie Martin, 61, of Lumberton, never played organized sports before her diagnosis six and a half years ago. "If someone would have told me when I was in treatment that I'd be rowing like this, I would have never believed it," she said. "I feel like I'm an athlete."

The commitment is serious. Since learning about Henley in May, the crew bumped practices from once weekly to three times a week. Some members, like Karen Pinkstone, drive an hour each way from Yardley just to row.

"My family is supportive because they see how happy this makes me," Pinkstone said. "I'm a better teacher, a better mom, a better wife, a better person, because I'm taking care of myself, and this is a big part of it."

Why This Inspires

These women prove that life after cancer doesn't mean returning to normal. It can mean discovering strength you never knew you had. They've turned a diagnosis that made them feel powerless into a journey that's taken them to international waters, building friendships and confidence with every stroke of the oar.

Their story also opens doors for others. This weekend's event runs as a trial, with hopes of becoming permanent at Henley and inspiring similar opportunities at regattas worldwide.

As they prepare to compete on the historic Thames, they're showing cancer survivors everywhere that recovery can look like adventure, community, and yes, even athletic glory.