Tournament Beneficiary
Casting for Recovery, at www.castingforrecovery.org, a national support and educational organization for breast cancer survivors, is the recipient of the proceeds from this event.
It's easy to make a secure online donation to CFR-Texas! Please specify your donation designation by adding "LAFM 2018" into the Gift Notes section.
Follow this link to make a donation now: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/tx
Mission Statement ~
The mission of Casting for Recovery is to enhance the quality of life of women with breast cancer through a unique program that combines breast cancer education and peer support with the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. The retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life and experience healing connections with other women and nature. Casting for Recovery's retreats are open to breast cancer survivors of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery, and are free to participants.
Why Fly Fishing & Breast Cancer ~
The concept of Casting for Recovery is unique. On a physical level, the gentle, rhythmic motion of fly casting is similar to exercises often prescribed after surgery or radiation to promote soft tissue stretching. On an emotional level, women are given the opportunity to experience a new activity in a safe environment amongst a supportive group of peers. The retreats provide resources to help address quality of life issues after a breast cancer diagnosis, and a new outlet - fly fishing - as a reprieve from the every day stresses and challenges of their cancer.
History ~
Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher. Awarded 501(c)(3) 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.
Fast Facts ~
Program Highlights ~
Impact ~
The program has shown to have a positive impact on breast cancer survivors. Post-retreat participant evaluations show that after attending a retreat:
It's easy to make a secure online donation to CFR-Texas! Please specify your donation designation by adding "LAFM 2018" into the Gift Notes section.
Follow this link to make a donation now: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/tx
Mission Statement ~
The mission of Casting for Recovery is to enhance the quality of life of women with breast cancer through a unique program that combines breast cancer education and peer support with the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. The retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life and experience healing connections with other women and nature. Casting for Recovery's retreats are open to breast cancer survivors of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery, and are free to participants.
Why Fly Fishing & Breast Cancer ~
The concept of Casting for Recovery is unique. On a physical level, the gentle, rhythmic motion of fly casting is similar to exercises often prescribed after surgery or radiation to promote soft tissue stretching. On an emotional level, women are given the opportunity to experience a new activity in a safe environment amongst a supportive group of peers. The retreats provide resources to help address quality of life issues after a breast cancer diagnosis, and a new outlet - fly fishing - as a reprieve from the every day stresses and challenges of their cancer.
History ~
Casting for Recovery was founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, by a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher. Awarded 501(c)(3) 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.
Fast Facts ~
- Casting for Recovery provides free fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer
- 70% of the women who attend Casting for Recovery retreats have never been to a support group
- CfR currently offers 55 retreats across the country, serving 800 women each year. To date 8,000+ women have been served.
- CfR relies on the support of more than 1,600 volunteers nationwide, including medical and psychosocial professionals, fly-fishing instructors and alumnae.
- National sponsors include Cabela's Outdoor Fund, Stevinson Automotive, Sage, Sisters on the Fly, Ashford Hospitality Trust and Orvis.
Program Highlights ~
- Two-and-a-half day retreat offered at no cost to the participants.
- The retreat incorporates both fly-fishing instruction and social support, ending with a half day of guided catch-and-release fly-fishing.
- Focus is on wellness as opposed to illness, empowerment as opposed to helplessness
- 14 participants and up to 20 alternates are selected at random from the applicant pool (based on service area) to attend each retreat .
- A volunteer planning team coordinates the CFR Program in their area.
- The national office oversees financial, promotional, and registration processes, coordinates participant information, and manages and trains the volunteer base.
- At least one medical professional, one psychosocial counselor, and four fly fishing instructors trained specifically for the Casting for Recovery Program staff each retreat.
- Participants range in age from 26 to 90 and are from many socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
- The program is appropriate for women in all stages of treatment and recovery, and various stages of emotional adaptation to breast cancer.
Impact ~
The program has shown to have a positive impact on breast cancer survivors. Post-retreat participant evaluations show that after attending a retreat:
- 91% felt better able to cope with their disease and are more aware and accepting of themselves
- 100% would recommend this program to/for others
- 91% learned something new about breast cancer
- 98% felt connected with other participants
