Paddle for the Cure

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

8/22/26

LIFE SURGE CONFERENCE — WALKING BY FAITH

What an inspiring day at the Life Surge Conference at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum — learning from great people and hearing their stories of faith, struggle, perseverance and success: Darryl Strawberry, Natalie Grant, Tim Tebow, Nick Vujicic, John C. Maxwell, Bianca Juarez and Ed Mylett.

One thing stayed with me:

No great person has an easy path.

Behind success are struggles, rejection, failures and sacrifices. What matters is that they keep going. I’m on that path too.

But one thing about me:

I DON’T COPY WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING.

I learn from great people — their struggles, success, wisdom and how they use their God-given gifts — then create my own path using the gifts God gave ME.

I was designed to create, lead with purpose, make things happen and MANIFEST THE IMPOSSIBLE.

Then came my funny shopping story at The Inspiration Co.

It was COLD inside the conference. I was going to buy a T-shirt, but because I was cold, I got the sweatshirt instead:

PRAY HARD. WORRY LESS.

Their brand and message caught me right away.

Then I started looking through the bracelets.

“Do you have 2 Corinthians?”

With my usual clumsiness, I kept picking up bracelets, dropping them, picking them up again and reading every verse.

Still no 2 Corinthians! And yes…I kept asking.

Why was I so determined?

Because 2 Corinthians 9:12–15 is God’s message to me in forming this charity — serving others, giving with purpose and giving thanks to God through service.

Then I got to:

Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ.”

THAT resonated with me because I’m always the one who believes in manifesting the impossible — and somehow, I always find a way to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

So I got the beautiful gold-beaded Philippians 4:13 bracelet.

But…I was STILL NOT CONVINCED.

“Okay God…but where is my 2 Corinthians?”

So yes, I went back inside the booth AGAIN!

And FINALLY…there it was.

A beautiful pink-and-white hat:

WALK BY FAITH — 2 Corinthians 5:7

THERE WAS MY 2 CORINTHIANS!

Not the verse I originally searched for, but perhaps exactly the message I needed.

2 Corinthians 9:12–15 was God’s message to me in forming the charity.
2 Corinthians 5:7 felt like His message for the journey ahead: WALK BY FAITH.

And of course I had to have that hat!

Pink and white — my PFC colors, with gold beads to match my Philippians 4:13 bracelet.

Pink. White. Gold.

Everything connected:

PRAY HARD. WORRY LESS.
Philippians 4:13 — I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST.
WALK BY FAITH — 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Hearing Nick Vujicic was another special part of the conference, and I’m excited for his movie ‘No Limbs, No Limits ‘coming September 25!His journey reinforced what I learned from all these great people:

No great person has an easy path.

People can judge me, criticize me or even create stories to tear me down.

I’ve heard, “You’re Asian — you can’t be a leader.”
I’ve heard, “You can’t bring God into your charity.”

But I don’t waste my energy defending myself against every story.

My energy is too valuable. My purpose is too big.

Why should I hide the faith that gives me the strength to serve?

I’m not ashamed to shout:

I AM CATHOLIC.
I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD.
MY FAITH IS MY STRENGTH.

I’ve been through a lot, and yet:

I’M STILL HERE. I EXIST.

So I choose to live each day as if it could be my last. I don’t want to waste my time, energy, gifts or an opportunity to touch another life.

I can’t control how much time I’m given, but I can choose what I do with the time I have.

I choose to serve, give, create, love and obey what I believe God is asking me to do.

No wasted days. No wasted gifts. No wasted purpose.

PFC welcomes everyone. You don’t have to share my faith to stand beside me, but I will never hide the faith that shaped my journey.

And now Breast Cancer Awareness Month is approaching.

On Monday, I’ll wear my WALK BY FAITH — 2 Corinthians 5:7 hat with my PFC T-shirt for our kayak, and our members will hold the PFC flag with pride.

The BIG PFC flag isn’t ready yet — maybe for a reason. I’m saving that one for BCAM, when we can wave our mission to the world — from the water to the sky to light.

God keeps putting bigger and bolder ideas in my head.

Some may think they’re impossible.

That’s okay.

I’LL KEEP MANIFESTING THE IMPOSSIBLE — AND MAKING IT HAPPEN.

WALK BY FAITH.
LIVE & LEAD WITH PURPOSE.
WATER IS LIFE.

BCAM 2026 — STAY TUNED.
WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

08/22/2026

THROWBACK — “LEAH, YOU ARE MADE OF WATER.”

She was. She still is.

Last Monday, Leah was traveling on a rainy day when she heard a familiar voice from the guy sitting beside her. She wasn’t looking at him yet—she was busy messaging PFC’s graphic designer about the flag we’re bringing to Monday’s kayak event.

He noticed the PFC logo on her phone, and after his call said:

“It’s PFC!”

They finally looked at each other.

It was Martin from Downtown Boathouse, PFC’s kayaking partner!

Leah recognized his voice. Martin recognized PFC. What a small world!

And yes… IT WAS RAINING.

Most people grab an umbrella. Leah loves the rain. She isn’t afraid to get wet because, for her, rain is a lucky sign: PROCEED.

Important meeting. Negotiation. Event. Big idea. When it rains, she keeps going—and somehow keeps locking things in.

Maybe they were right.

Leah is made of water.
Water finds a way—and so does she.

Now she’s back in New York, recharged for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

And yes… the committee in her head is already in session.

PFC may be small, but we are MIGHTY, led by a Pink Dragon who isn’t afraid to fall because she knows how to GET BACK UP and FIGHT.

We don’t copy. WE CREATE.

Others run. Others walk. We break tradition.

We Are the Water — The Light of Hope That Never Fades.
Water is Life.

GET READY, NEW YORK.
BCAM 2026 — SOMETHING GREAT IS BREWING.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

08/21/2026

THERE IS NO “I” IN TEAM.

A real team is not simply a group of people standing under the same name. A real team is built through trust, kindness, respect, humility, commitment, accountability, and ACTION.

We don’t have to think alike or agree on everything. Different personalities, experiences, talents, and perspectives can make us stronger. But we must know how to listen, respect one another, and work toward the same purpose.

Sometimes kindness is more powerful than proving you are right.

And a strong team needs WORK ETHIC.

Ideas and suggestions are always welcome—but if you suggest something, be willing to help make it happen. Don’t simply tell others what should be done and then watch from the sidelines.

Roll up your sleeves. Step in. Help. Execute.

Ideas can start something, but ACTION moves it forward.

Time management matters. Respect deadlines. Be prepared. Follow through. If you commit to something, do your best to deliver. Respecting another person’s time is also part of respecting the team.

And this is important:

PFC NEEDS MONEY TO EXPAND—BUT MONEY IS NOT OUR MISSION.

Funding is necessary. It gives us the resources to grow our programs, reach more people, create more opportunities, and expand our impact.

But PURPOSE comes first.

We don’t build our mission around money. We build around purpose, create meaningful impact, and use funding as a tool to take that impact further.

PURPOSE drives the mission.
PEOPLE create the impact.
MONEY gives us the resources to expand it.

That is why PFC is looking for MISSION-DRIVEN INDIVIDUALS—people who believe in what we stand for and are willing to contribute their time, talent, energy, ideas, and heart.

People who don’t begin with:

“What do I get in return?”

But instead ask:

“How can I help?”
“What can I contribute?”
“What can WE accomplish together?”

Bring your ideas—but bring your hands to execute them.

Bring your talent—but bring kindness with it.

Bring your passion—but bring discipline, reliability, and good time management.

Bring your voice—but also know when to listen.

And above all, bring your PURPOSE.

You don’t have to constantly announce what you contribute. Consistency, character, kindness, work ethic, and ACTION will speak for themselves.

There is no “I” in TEAM.

We show up.
We listen.
We contribute.
We roll up our sleeves.
We support one another.
We follow through.
And we get things done—TOGETHER.

PURPOSE OVER PERSONAL GAIN.
MISSION OVER EGO.
ACTION OVER WORDS.

ONE TEAM. ONE PURPOSE. ONE CIRCLE.

INDEPENDENT. SURVIVOR-LED.
MISSION-DRIVEN. PURPOSE-LED.

THAT IS TEAM PFC.

08/17/2026

8/15/26 CIRCLE OF LIGHT — THE VIDEO DOCUMENTARY

What began as a vision came to life.

Was it perfect? NO.
But perfection was never the goal.

What did we accomplish? WE BROUGHT SURVIVORS TOGETHER.

We gathered by the water to celebrate life, remember those we’ve lost, move together, and surround one another with hope and light.

And we learned from our first run.

This time, we come back MORE PREPARED, MORE ORGANIZED, and READY TO SHINE EVEN BRIGHTER.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re bringing back the PINK POWER — stronger, brighter, and bolder.

Others run. Others walk. WE BREAK TRADITION.

We don’t compete to be the biggest. We aim to be the most innovative.

We Are the Water — The Light of Hope That Never Fades.
Water is Life.

WATCH US SHINE BRIGHT LIKE SUPERSTARS — POWERED BY PINK!

WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/17/2026

8/15/26 CIRCLE OF LIGHT BY THE WATER — WE BROUGHT THE VISION TO LIFE.

Our first run — was it perfect? No. And that’s normal. More than 100 people signed up, and not everyone showed up — especially with a free community event.

But it was never about filling a space. It was about touching lives, reaching survivors and building community. And we met breast cancer survivors who want to join PFC — that is success.

Our heartfelt gratitude to F. Ottomanelli by the Water and Frank Ottomanelli for welcoming us and supporting our vision, and to Johnny, Maria, James, Ann, Oscar, Isabel, Saundra, our PFC Committee, volunteers, supporters and everyone who helped make it happen.

Water • Movement • Music • Dance • Meditation • Light

Others run. Others walk. WE BREAK TRADITION.

We don’t compete to be the biggest. We aim to be the most innovative.

We Are the Water — The Light of Hope That Never Fades. Water is Life.

WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

WE’LL BE BACK FOR BCAM— BIGGER ENERGY, MORE PREPARED & READY TO GLOW AGAIN!

08/16/2026

A PIECE OF MY HEART. A MESSAGE OF HOPE.

This message comes from my own journey as a survivor — turning every challenge into purpose and using my voice to remind others that hope can carry us through even the darkest moments.

Through water, movement, music, dance, meditation and light, we create an experience that connects body, mind and spirit and brings people together beyond the traditional way of raising awareness.

This is why I continue to speak, create and push boundaries — not simply to gather a crowd, but to touch a heart, reach a survivor and inspire someone to keep moving forward.

Others run. Others walk. WE BREAK TRADITION.

We don’t compete to be the biggest. We aim to be the most innovative.

🌊 Water is Life. Light is Hope.

We move. We reflect. We hold hands. We shine. And when we come together, we become one world — one circle, one light, one hope. 🌎✨

🌊 We Are the Water — The Light of Hope That Never Fades.

08/16/2026

8/15/26 CIRCLE OF LIGHT BY THE WATER

100+ signed up. Was it perfect? No. Was it a normal event? Absolutely not. But we did it anyway.

And our greatest accomplishment wasn’t filling the space — it was reaching people. We met breast cancer survivors who now want to join us, and THAT is what makes our mission meaningful. 💗

It’s not the space we need to fill. It’s the hearts we touch, the survivors we reach, and the community we build.

Our heartfelt thanks to F. Ottomanelli by the Water and Frank Ottomanelli for welcoming PFC and giving us the space to bring our vision to life.

Special thanks to our PFC family:
🎧 Johnny Nguyen — music & meditation
💃 Maria Assis — Zumba for Hope
💗 James Wang & Ann — PFC Committee
📸 Oscar — photography, videos & helping carry the equipment
💗 Isabel & Saundra — support & helping hands

💃 Zumba for Hope
🕯️ Moment of Silence
✨ Circle of Light by the Water
🎶 Music & Meditation
🌎 “We Are the World” — holding hands in unity
🔥 Glow-in-the-Dark Celebration
🎟️ 50/50 Raffle
🦩 Adopt a Pink Flamingo
📸 Fellowship, laughter & memories by the water

Others run. Others walk. WE BREAK TRADITION.

We don’t compete to be the biggest. We aim to be the most innovative.

🌊 We Are the Water — The Light of Hope That Never Fades. Water is Life.

💗 We’re coming back in October — more prepared, more organized and with more hands. Volunteers, sign up! If interested email us at [email protected]

✨ The best is yet to come.

08/15/2026

THROWBACK 💗 THE VISION BEFORE THE LIGHT.

Joining Leah during the site visit are PFC Committee members Johnny, James & Ann.

Tomorrow, we will FLOOD THE WATERFRONT IN PINK! 💗🌊

💃 Zumba for Hope
🕯️ Moment of Silence
✨ Circle of Light by the Water
🔥 Glow-in-the-Dark Celebration
💗 A powerful message of hope

Others run. Others walk. WE BREAK TRADITION.

We don’t compete to be the biggest. We aim to be the most innovative.

✨ We Are the Water — The Light of Hope That Never Fades as Water is Life

WE GLOW WITH PURPOSE! 💗✨

WATCH US SHINE

AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME.