By Ken Valenti

WESTPORT–The Survive-OARS rowers, back from racing in the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, are now turning to their attention to their big fundraiser this Saturday, when they and their supporters will coat a swath of the Saugatuck River in Westport with 50,000 pink rose petals.

The crew members, all breast cancer survivors, welcome everyone to the River of Roses brunch with live music, food and champagne at the Saugatuck Rowing Club and Fitness Center, 521 Riverside Ave., Westport.

“Everyone attending will be invited to participate in scattering the rose petals onto the Saugatuck River during a special dedication ceremony,” said Diana Kuen, the team’s founder, executive director and coach. “The petals represent the countless lives touched by breast cancer. It’s our way of honoring those who have faced the disease, celebrating those who are thriving beyond it, standing alongside those who are still fighting, and remembering those we have lost.”

The brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with music by the Bad Dog Buddy band; a raw bar courtesy of Copps Island Oysters and Pagano’s Seafood; a charcuterie spread from Ace Endico; and clam chowder, butternut squash soup and other foods from the Boathouse at Saugatuck, Kuen said.

“We’ll also be serving a very special complimentary Sauvignon Blanc in honor of one of our beloved Survive-OARS members, Sarah Bianchi,” she added.

For tickets, or to donate rose petals in a loved one’s name, go here. The Survive-OARS will also raffle off a Concept 2 RowErg rowing machine that can be shipped to the winner anywhere in the United States. 

Anyone interested in joining the program can reach out to Kuen at Diana@survive-oars.org.

Over the past weekend, the team raced in the Survivor Row Exhibition race in the Head of the Charles event. The Survive-OARS finished fourth out of 12 teams with a time of 23:56.697, Kuen said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has accomplished,” she said.

“You could hear spectators cheering from the bridges as their pink boat made its way down the Charles River,” Kuen said. “There was so much excitement, pride, and emotion surrounding the race. For these women, crossing the finish line represents so much more than a race result. It’s a celebration of their strength, resilience, and everything they’ve overcome together.”

Ken Valenti

A career journalist and lifelong resident of the New York City region, Ken Valenti has enjoyed decades of reporting local, regional and national news in New York and Connecticut. Topics of special interest are development, the environment, Long Island Sound and transportation. When not reporting, he’s always on the lookout for the perfect coffee shop or used book sale.