Profile: Founder Mary Skrypek
Mary Skrypek has been a champion for breast cancer survivors in Minnesota since she became one in 2003. She led the effort in 2006 to create the first breast cancer survivor dragon boat club in Minnesota, the Dragon Divas. Mary has become a beacon of hope to hundreds of women who did not know what kind of life was possible after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
When Mary Skrypek was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer at age 53, it did not take her entirely by surprise. She was just 20 years old when her mother died of breast cancer. Her grandmother had also died from breast cancer. Mary was a physical therapist and had been incorporating lymphatic drainage therapy in her practice and had encounters with many women after their diagnosis of breast cancer. While no one receives a diagnosis of cancer without taking a pause to evaluate their life, Mary took half a pause. She continued working. She continued going for walks and even running during her weeks of chemotherapy. Mary knew that for her, movement was an important medicine and by continuing to work, she showed vitality to people in their own journeys of survival.
One year after her diagnosis, Mary and her daughter Maggie attended the Mayo Clinic conference, “Women and Cancer”. It was at this conference that Mary learned of a 1996 study initiated by University of British Columbia’s Dr. Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician and an exercise physiologist, and Dr. Susan Harris, a physical therapist and professor. Their study challenged the directives to women who had lymph nodes removed in their cancer treatment to avoid strenuous activities with the arms and hands in order to reduce risk of adverse effects. The McKenzie and Harris study proved the current medical model wrong by putting breast cancer survivors in a dragon boat to paddle and exercise. Participants did not experience adverse effects and in fact, demonstrated many positive outcomes. As Mary listened to this Mayo Clinic presentation, she turned to Maggie and said “I’m going to start a team.”
Through Mary’s incredible determination and with help from the Fighting Angels Abreast dragon boat club in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the Dragon Divas of St. Paul, Minnesota, began in 2006 with 8 members. Today, there are 97 women on the roster with over 150 women participating over the years. Mary inspires these women, their families and our communities to be connected in hope. She continues to instill a purpose in this team to support each other by demonstrating that a full and active life is possible after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Today, Mary’s influence and leadership can be found in every area of the Dragon Divas’ organization and activity. She has served on the Board of Directors since the beginning, faithfully acting as counsel and guardian of our mission. She is a founder and key leader of our Grounds Crew, a subgroup of Divas members who organize mission-focused activities off the water that enhance and support our members' spiritual and emotional health. The Grounds Crew also provides outreach programs to educate the community on early detection and the benefits of exercise and activity for BC survivors. Mary supports our Equipment Crew by leveraging her vast dragon boating network to find solutions to our equipment needs. On our Membership Crew, Mary acts as our club ambassador; she is the first contact for each individual who makes a membership inquiry to get to know their unique cancer story and how our club might meet their needs.
The Dragon Divas have profound regard and respect for our founder, Mary Skrypek. She is the reason we are thriving as an organization and as individuals. She has changed our lives for the better and we are so grateful.