09/05/2025
Lowcountry Oncology would like to end the week by recognizing Charity Hickman, LOA’s Mixing Technician, and her Grandmother, who have both been a huge part of Dragon Boat Charleston.
In 2003, Charity and her newborn son were living with her grandparents. Her grandmother, Sylvia, had a newspaper on the table. There was an ad for Dragon Boat Charleston. Silvia was a two-time breast cancer survivor and explained that this was a team for cancer survivors. She said, "I'm going to do this." Charity had no idea about the impact that this decision would have on her life. Silvia babysat Charity’s son, as she worked nights, but that did not stop her. She would bring him to the docks and have someone pick him up so she could practice. She met the most amazing people. Soon, she would be traveling all over in festivals and races. She was 64 when she started, and she kept going. She even got Charity’s grandfather to paddle, as he was a cancer survivor as well. It was around 2007 when Dragon Boat Charleston traveled to China to race. Dragon Boat racing became a huge part of her life. She paddled, drummed, and coached. At this year's festival, Charity was told how Silvia coached an all-men's team, and that is where "Sylvia's Dream" came from. In 2015, Silvia found out her cancer had returned. It wasn't breast cancer this time, but in multiple locations all over. She was not able to do all the things she once did. Her Dragon Boat family ended up coming to her. There were new things all over Silvia’s porch each day. When she passed, Charity and her family had a church ceremony, but the dragon boat family had their own at Brittlebank Park. With family on a boat and friends on the bank, we spread some of her ashes right there in the river. She is always with her team. In 2021, Charity was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two surgeries and four weeks of radiation later, she was cancer free. When the opportunity to paddle for Lowcountry Oncology Associates came up, there was no question Charity was all in!
Thank you so much Charity for letting us share your story and teaching all of us at LOA the history of Dragon Boat Charleston!