Blog
Hearts of Steel Pittsburgh: Paddling Through Cancer
When it comes to turning resilience into action, Hearts of Steel Pittsburgh is a shining example of what a community of breast cancer survivors can accomplish together. Founded to empower survivors through the sport of dragon boating, this team is about far more than paddling, it’s about healing, connection, and inspiration.
Janice Bagnato, a wife, mother, and retired schoolteacher, shares her journey with the team. “I’m on my third diagnosis with breast cancer, and I’ve been dragon boating for 11 years,” she says. For Janice and her teammates, dragon boating is not just a sport, it’s lifeline.
“Dragon boating is a sport where we use our arms, waist, and body to move the paddle through the water. It comes with this built-in support group because we’re all cancer survivors.”
Janice Bagnato
Hearts of Steel has cultivated a strong relationship with the Pittsburgh community. Janice explains, “When local organizations and individuals hear our story and learn about what we do for breast cancer survivors across the Pittsburgh area, they’re eager to get involved. The community has embraced our mission, and our mission is to help raise awareness, offer support to survivors, and grow our team through shared compassion and connection.”
With 47 active paddlers and around 30 supporters, the team not only trains hard three days a week on the river but also dedicates itself to giving back. Janice highlights, “We’ve given back over $17,000 in the seven years that we’ve been a team because it’s in our mission statement to give back up to $2,000 a year or 10% of our fundraising proceeds to stay right in the city with the local breast cancer organization.”
From creating chemo care bags with local businesses to hosting festivals that draw nearly a thousand attendees, Hearts of Steel has woven itself into the fabric of the city. Beyond fundraising, the team inspires the next generation.
“Our team hopes that Hearts of Steel will be an organization where, for generations, survivors and their family and friends feel welcome to participate so that they can have hope and inspiration to live life to its fullest potential.”
Janice Bagnato
For those wondering how to get involved, Janice is clear: “We welcome new members all year round… We also accept volunteers who want to support the team in other ways, like helping with our golf outing, festival, or off-season outreach programs. The community is always welcome to cheer, collaborate, and share in our mission.”
Upcoming opportunities to connect with Hearts of Steel include their annual dragon boat festival at North Park, where local teams and survivors come together for races and family-friendly activities, and the team’s annual golf outing, a sold-out event in past years that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer survivors. Additionally, Hearts of Steel participates in Pink October events, Making Strides walks, and community outreach programs, which are perfect ways for volunteers, businesses, and individuals to contribute time, resources, or sponsorships.
Through every stroke on the Allegheny River, Hearts of Steel empowers survivors to reclaim their strength and joy after a breast cancer diagnosis. “We hope that the Pittsburgh community and surrounding areas will know that there’s life after a breast cancer diagnosis,” Janice says. “We provide a healthy living activity that is also a support group for survivors going through any stage.”
In Pittsburgh, Hearts of Steel is more than a team—it’s a testament to unity, resilience, and the power of community. From local schools to international dragon boat events, the women of Hearts of Steel show that when survivors come together, they inspire hope, foster wellness, and create a legacy of strength for generations to come.
Get Involved: To volunteer, support, or learn more about upcoming events, visit www.heartsofsteelpittsburgh.org or call 412-298-3837. Whether you paddle, cheer from the sidelines, or help with events, your contribution strengthens this life-changing community.