About CfR
Casting for Recovery (CfR) provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer, at no cost to the participants. CfR’s retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life, and experience healing connections with other women and nature. The retreats are open to women with breast cancer of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery. For over 25 years, women from all walks of life have benefitted from CfR’s inspiring program model.
Why fly fishing and breast cancer?
Our healing program is unique! For women who have had surgery or radiation as part of their breast cancer treatment, the gentle motion of fly casting can be good physical therapy for increasing mobility in the arm and upper body. Couple that with the emotional benefits of connecting with nature, and you’ve got powerful medicine. Our retreats are unconventional and described by many women as life-changing.
Fast Facts
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Casting for Recovery provides free fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer
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70% of the women who attend Casting for Recovery retreats have never been to a support group
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CfR currently offers 40+ retreats across the country, serving over 700 women each year. To date over 10,000 women with breast cancer have benefitted from the healing power of nature
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CfR relies on the support of more than 1,800 volunteers nationwide, including medical and psychosocial professionals, fly fishing instructors and alumnae
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National sponsors include Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Buff, Costa, Enell, Madison Rose, Orvis, SIMMS, Texas Oncology, YETI and Sycamore Capital
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CfR has inspired similar efforts in six countries outside of the U.S.
History
Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a breast reconstruction surgeon and a professional fly fisher. Awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1998, Casting for Recovery’s innovative program focuses on improving quality of life for women with breast cancer, and has garnered endorsements from medical and psychosocial experts nationwide.


