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After facing breast cancer, a Cedar Rapids woman and her mother traveled to France to race alongside thousands of survivors from around the world

For years, Abbey Lange of Cedar Rapids watched from the shoreline as her mother, Michelle Lange of East Dubuque, Illinois, raced dragon boats with fellow breast cancer survivors on the Mississippi River.

Michelle, a two-time breast cancer survivor, had spent more than two decades paddling with Team “Hope for the Breast,” a dragon boat team where the only requirement to join is a breast cancer diagnosis. She always loved having Abbey there to cheer her on—but hoped her daughter would never have a reason to join her in the boat.

Unfortunately, that wish didn’t last.

In late 2022, Abbey was just 32-years-old when she felt a lump in her breast. She thought she might be feeling a muscle because she was active and worked out regularly. But knowing her mother’s history of breast cancer, Abbey trusted her instincts and had it checked.

That decision changed her life.

Trusting Her Instincts

Following a biopsy, Abbey was diagnosed with breast cancer and referred to the Nassif Community Cancer Center, where she met with care coordinator Mona Cook, BSN, RN, CBCN, to begin developing a personalized care plan.

Abbey underwent 20 rounds of chemotherapy before deciding, in consultation with her physicians, to have a double mastectomy to minimize her risk of recurrence. She also underwent immediate breast reconstruction.

Throughout treatment, Abbey formed close relationships with her care team and took advantage of supportive services at the Community Cancer Center, including genetic testing, which gave her more insight into her personal cancer risk.

During chemotherapy, Abbey also received support through the Community Cancer Center’s partnership with Strands of Strength, which helped her obtain a wig after she lost her hair.

“Until you go through it, you don’t know what it’s like to not feel like yourself,” Abbey said. “Getting that wig really made me feel like me.”

After completing treatment, Abbey worked with cancer exercise specialist Matt Schmitz, CSCS, CES, AFT, to rebuild her strength and prepare to join her mother in the dragon boat.

From the Shoreline to the Boat

Abbey eventually joined her mother on Team “Hope for the Breast,” turning years of cheering from the shore into a shared experience on the water.

That experience reached a milestone this summer when Michelle and Abbey traveled to Aix-les-Bains, France, for the 2026 International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Dragon Boat Festival.

More than 4,500 breast cancer survivors from around the world gathered for the event, creating what Michelle described as “a sea of pink.”

For Abbey, the trip was her first time traveling outside the country—and a chance to experience something she never could have imagined when she was diagnosed at 32.

“Being surrounded by 4,500 breast cancer survivors felt so empowering, knowing that all of our journeys have led us together, to race on beautiful blue waters and mountains surrounding us,” Abbey said.

She especially enjoyed meeting women from different countries and exchanging pins representing where they came from.

But the most memorable moment came on the boat.

“For so many years, I was the daughter standing on the shore watching and cheering my mom on, but sitting just four rows behind her on the boat in France was a moment I’ll never forget,” Abbey said.

When the race ended, the mother and daughter learned their team had finished first in their division.

“My mom and I locked eyes, we hugged each other and cheered, crying tears of joy,” Abbey said. “It was truly a magical moment.”