Last week, Casting for Recovery (CfR) announced the official launch of its Metastatic Retreat Program. The launch follows a recent pilot retreat, held in Central Texas in October, which served twelve women with metastatic (advanced Stage IV) breast cancer.
“Women with metastatic breast cancer have very different concerns as compared with non-metastatic cancer survivors.,” says CfR Program & Development Director, Susan Gaetz. “Our recent pilot retreat confirms what our participants have been telling us — that support is most effective when it is provided in a metastatic-exclusive environment where women can openly express their hopes and fears without the need to protect anyone or hold back.”
CfR’s Metastatic Retreat Program will be rolled out in additional states in 2017. Participants will have the opportunity to learn an exciting new skill – fly fishing – as well as learn ways to balance a fulfilling lifestyle with ongoing cancer treatment and side effects. Oncologists, psychosocial facilitators, and experienced fly fishers will support these women for a weekend of hope and healing.
Casting for Recovery is one of the first survivorship organizations in the country to implement a retreat program specifically for women with advanced breast cancer. CfR celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016 and will serve more than 600 women at retreats in 43 states this year.
Orvis is a founding sponsor of Casting for Recovery, and we are proud to support their remarkable work. In honor of Mother’s Day this year, Orvis posted the video above and donated $1 per share to CfR with the hashtag #LongLiveMoms, generating $10,000 for new CfR retreats.
Last year we shared a letter from Sheila Rodriguez, a brave and beautiful woman who had participated in a CfR retreat. She poignantly articulated what this opportunity meant to her. Especially in light of this new program, it’s certainly worth another read.
Click here for more information on CfR programs or to learn how you can get involved.