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Rowing through

cancer together

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A team of nine women on a dock next to a body of water, dressed in matching black athletic uniforms with race medals, posing with arms around each other, smiling and holding a pink scoreboard with the number 9, with a city skyline in the background on a clear day.

The Survivor Rowing Network (SRN) is a global movement helping cancer patients and survivors reclaim confidence, physical and mental health, strength, emotional resilience, and connection through the sport of rowing.

Rooted in healing, hope, and community, SRN is open to all people with all cancer diagnoses. Rowing is transformative—offering structure, grounding, and purpose during recovery, especially after treatment, when uncertainty is common.
In 2025, over 700 rowers participated in 40 SRN programs in 10 countries.

All Cancers. All People. One Community.

See participating programs
Events

“150 minutes of exercise per week is associated with a 24% reduction in risk of cancer recurrence and a 45% higher likelihood of survival, however only 8% of cancer survivors achieve this level of exercise. We at CREW309 are on a mission to bridge this gap!”

Crew 309, Peoria IL, Founding SRN member

“Imagine completing cancer treatment and receiving an invitation- not to a support group- but to a team of athletes. Imagine stepping onto an erg or into a boat and realizing that everyone around you shares your experience. That is the everyday reality for Survivor Rowers”

Rosa Remo, Rome IT, Founding SRN member

“When people are learning to row, the cancer sits outside the boat for that period of time, and it’s replaced by something new. Once they’re on the water, they’re blown away by the sum of their strength.”

Holly Metcalf, founder of Survivor Rowing, MIT Women’s Head Coach and 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist with We Can Row Boston group

Group of women wearing blue jackets gathered in front of a banner that reads 'Celebrate Survivor Rowing' with the Survivor Rowing Network logo, during a rowing event in Boston.
Group of women in a rowing boat on a river, preparing to row, under a partly cloudy sky, with a bridge in the background.
Five women rowing a boat on a calm river with trees, buildings, and a stone fortress in the background.
Group of women wearing pink shirts with 'Saugatuck Survive Oars!' logo, participating in a team rowing event outdoors on a sunny day.
A woman with long blonde hair holding a megaphone on a boat, coaching a rowing team on a lake at sunset. Eight rowers in matching pink and white uniforms are rowing in a long boat.
Group of people wearing matching medals and colorful shirts, standing near a body of water outdoors, celebrating an event.
Two women with their backs to the camera, standing on a dock by a river, embracing and flexing their biceps. One woman wears a colorful floral tank top, and the other wears a blue jacket that says 'Survivor Rowing Network.' The scene is outdoors with
A group of five people, four adults and one child, dressed in athletic clothing, standing outdoors at a sporting event. They are smiling at the camera, wearing matching black shirts with a blue and purple logo, possibly a swim team or athletic group.

Partners

Logos of USRowing, Head of the Charles, Regatta Central, V2 Racing, Crew Classic, and Concept 2.

Give Survivors a Seat—and a Team.

Your support helps launch new programs, fund Learn to Row events, train coaches, and create more opportunities for survivors to row—on the water and on ergs, together. Every donation helps build community, connection, and strength for rowers in recovery.

Fund a seat. Help us grow.

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