“We Won the Battle, Now Let’s Paddle”
Last Updated: November 20, 2025
What happens when a group of breast cancer survivors climb into a 40-foot boat and start paddling together?
You get the Mammoglams — a Jacksonville dragon boat team turning survivorship into strength, resilience, and community.
In this episode, we’re joined by Pam Reckner, breast cancer survivor, Team USA paddler, and Team Captain of the Mammoglams, along with Jeri Millard, breast cancer survivor, longtime patient advocate, and Founder/CEO of In the Pink, a nonprofit boutique supporting cancer patients in Jacksonville. Together, they share how dragon boating has become a powerful part of recovery — improving mobility, supporting lymphedema management, and offering survivors a place to rebuild confidence and connection.
They also take us inside the global breast cancer paddling community, talk about what it’s like to compete internationally, and describe how the Mammoglams support survivors at every fitness level with a truly “no paddler left behind” approach.
In this episode:
- How dragon boating supports strength, mobility, and physical healing after breast cancer
- Why survivors describe the Mammoglams as a genuine “floating support group”
- Pam’s path from treatment to Team USA paddler and team captain
- Jeri’s advocacy journey and the origins of dragon boating in Jacksonville
- Insight into the international breast cancer paddling movement and upcoming world competitions
Additional Resources
Jeri Millard is a three-time cancer survivor and the founder of In the Pink, a Jacksonville Beach nonprofit dedicated to supporting women with cancer. A longtime advocate, she has served on multiple cancer-support boards and has been recognized with honors including the Times-Union EVE Award, the American Cancer Society Courage Award, and the TIAA Bank “Difference Maker 100.” Jeri also helped bring dragon boating to Jacksonville and played a key role in developing the Mammoglams, a competitive breast cancer survivor team that has raced internationally and continues to prepare for future world events.
Pam Reckner is a breast cancer survivor and the Mammoglams Team Captain, known for her leadership within Jacksonville’s dragon boat community. Since joining the team in 2021, she has competed in events across Italy, New Zealand, and upcoming international championships while helping strengthen the Mammoglams’ survivor-focused mission. Outside of paddling, Pam is a Contract Manager in Strategic Sourcing at UF Health Jacksonville with more than 35 years of experience in materials management.
Mammoglams Website: www.mammoglams.com
Jacksonville Dragon Boat Club: www.jacksonvilledragonboatclub.com
In the Pink nonprofit: https://inthepinkboutique.com
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