Our history

Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, the unique brainchild of a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher (at right, Dr. Benita Walton and Gwenn Bogart). CFR began as a local grassroots group with a big heart and an original national vision, and quickly received endorsements from medical and psycho-social experts for its innovative healing program model while at the same time provoking intense interest by national media.

Casting for Recovery was founded on the principles that the natural world is a healing force and that cancer survivors deserve one weekend — free of charge and free of the stresses from medical treatment, home, or workplace — to experience something new and challenging while enjoying beautiful surroundings within an intimate, safe, and nurturing structure.

Messages of love and hope

Messages of love and hope.

90% felt better able to cope with their disease and are more aware and accepting of themselves

The program

We provide an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease to gather in a natural setting and learn the sport of fly fishing. Just as importantly, the retreats offer an opportunity to meet new friends, network, exchange information, and have fun.

Our weekend retreats incorporate counseling, educational services, and the trained facilitators that staff each retreat, including a psycho-social therapist, a health care professional (e.g. physical therapist, nurse), as well as fly-fishing instructors and river helpers.

Casting for Recovery has inspired the generous and loyal support of donors large and small, and continues to believe in its mission of providing women with powerful tools for healing at no expense to them.

Timeline

  • CASTING FOR RECOVERY established in Manchester, Vermont, in 1996
  • Awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1998
  • CFR Canada was established in 2004
  • CFR UK/Ireland was established in 2007
  • CFR New Zealand conducted its first retreat in February 2010
  • Under Armour, CFR National Sponsors