A B.C. doctor who pioneered a global movement within the sport of dragon boating is set to attend one of Penticton's famed summertime events.

Dr. Don McKenzie will be a special guest at this year's Penticton Dragonboat Festival, set for Sept. 7 and 8.

His scheduled appearance was announced Friday by Survivorship, a South Okanagan dragon boat team made up of breast cancer survivors.

McKenzie is renowned for his work in sports medicine and credited for launching the movement of dragon boating for breast cancer survivors. 

"Dr. McKenzie is celebrated for his groundbreaking work that challenged the prevailing medical advice of the time," representatives from Survivorship said in a press release.

"His pioneering program, launched with 24 breast cancer survivors at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, led to the formation of the original Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat team. This innovative initiative not only proved that dragon boating was safe for breast cancer survivors but also demonstrated its profound physical and emotional benefits."

The doctor is scheduled to speak to breast cancer survivors at an event in Penticton on Sept. 6, before heading to Skaha Lake for the festival on Sept. 7, where he will "meet with participants and celebrate the impact of this empowering sport on the global breast cancer survivor community."