November 1, 2008
Fishing for Life
"My body is tired but my spirit is renewed. I leave with memories of strong, beautiful women and a new experience to build on. I leave with the information that will help me to continue on as a survivor…"
The woman who wrote these moving words was one of the more than 3500 women who have been privileged to take part in a unique form of therapy provided by Casting for Recovery for survivors of breast cancer. CFR was founded in 1996 with the goal of helping women recover, both physically and emotionally, through the unique benefits of fly-fishing…a sport which uses just those muscles most affected by breast cancer surgery. Couple the physical benefits with a weekend retreat in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded not only by other women experiencing the very same turmoil, but also a group of volunteers committed in every way to making the event transformative, and you have a very special experience that can truly change everyone who takes part.
Though the national organization has achieved a great deal of success in the twelve years it has been in existence, we know from our conversation with Jacki Lappen, CFR’s Manager of Volunteer Services that there are several groups in specific geographic areas across the country who have great difficulty in organizing and raising the funds necessary in sponsoring a retreat. The Good People Fund has committed funds to help one of these groups by offering matching funds for "new money" they may raise before year’s end. If they are successful in that endeavor, we will offer the group support to cover their participation in a national meeting scheduled for next Spring which is dedicated to teaching and guiding fund-raising events.
Casting for Recovery is something which every breast cancer survivor should know about. It can bring amazing benefits to those who partake of the experience. Visit http://www.castingforrecovery.org/ to learn more…and when you have checked them out, pass along the URL to someone you may know who has been affected by this disease. It could change a life in many ways.
