NZ Woman Appointed Vice President of IBCPC

New Zealand Woman Appointed Vice President of International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission (IBCPC).

Meri Gibson’s appointment, announced in October 2014, is in recognition of her efforts with Abreast of Life dragon boat team http://www.abreastoflife.co.nz/ and the promotion of breast cancer awareness.

Jane Frost, President, IBCPC says, “Meri has been a major force in the progress of dragon boat paddling in New Zealand since joining a dragon boat team in 2006.”

It’s a great honour, says Meri: “I’m thrilled to be able to give New Zealand a voice in the international arena.”

Meri was diagnosed and treated for cervical and ovarian cancer in the 1990s and was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 1999. She underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction in February 2000. Meri had a second mastectomy in August 2011.

Meri intends to use her time as Vice President to lobby for the inclusion of women who may not have been diagnosed with breast cancer but who carry the BRCA gene. These women have taken a proactive approach with their health and had prophylactic mastectomy or similar, like Angelina Jolie. Under current IBCPC these women are excluded from being ‘paddlers’.
The IBCPC is an international organisation whose mandate is to encourage the establishment of breast cancer dragon boat teams, within the framework of participation and inclusiveness. It supports the development of recreational dragon boat paddling as a contribution to a healthy lifestyle for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
In August 2007 Meri was involved in establishing the AORAKI Dragon Boat Association (ADBA), the governing body for the sport in the South Island.
She has been Chair of the Association since its inception. In 2007 she became a Board member of the re-established New Zealand Dragon Boat Association (NZDBA). Since that time she has held the positions of Communications Director and Events Director. In 2009 Meri was a founding member of the Oceania Dragon Boat Federation, the governing body for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Born and raised in Christchurch, Meri currently lives in Rotorua where she runs her business management consultancy.

Meri is great talent; she is articulate and passionate especially about her sport and breast cancer awareness

ENDS

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