$150 raised by 4 donors
1% complete
$21,000 Goal
🌟 Did you know? 7 out of 10 women facing breast cancer have never experienced a support group. At Casting for Recovery (CfR), we are here to change that. Through the healing power of nature and fly fishing, we bring survivors and thrivers together, offering essential medical oncology, psych/social and peer support—all at no cost to the participants.
💖 The Gift of Healing 💖
Every woman who joins a Casting for Recovery retreat finds a place of healing, connection, and hope—all at no cost to her. This life-changing experience comes at a cost of about $1,500 per participant. This Colorado Gives Day, we're asking for your help to make a powerful impact:
Will you join us in funding an entire retreat?
Because we are volunteer-run, every dollar raised goes directly to the retreat, making your contribution go even further. By reaching our goal, we’ll be able to provide a fully-funded retreat for 14 women, offering them not just a weekend of support and education, but a community that lasts a lifetime. Each dollar you donate brings us closer to transforming lives—one woman, one retreat, one cast at a time.
Together, let’s make an incredible impact 💙.
Our Colorado Casting for Recovery Program.
Every year, we host 4 life-changing retreats for 52 courageous women right here in Colorado. Our team of passionate volunteers—including medical oncologists, nurses, therapists, and fishing guides—work tirelessly to create an experience that goes beyond support. They provide a sanctuary of joy, healing, and lifelong connection.
Why Your Support Matters
By supporting CfR on Colorado Gives Day, you are directly impacting the lives of women facing breast cancer. Your generosity helps fund transformative retreats that not only offer healing but also foster community and resilience. Together, we can continue to change lives, one cast at a time.
The mission of Casting for Recovery (CfR) is to enhance the lives of women with breast cancer by connecting them to each other and nature through the therapeutic sport of fly fishing.
Casting for Recovery (CfR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being of women who have or have had breast cancer through education and support retreats provided at no-cost to the participants. Founded in 1996 by a breast surgeon and a professional fly fisher, the CFR program uses instruction in the sport of fly-fishing, combined with counseling and medical education. Physically, the therapeutic motion of fly-casting is similar to exercises that surgeons prescribe after surgery or radiation, thus promoting soft tissue stretching.
CFR originated in 1996 and is based nationally in Bozeman, MT. Since it's inception, CfR has conducted over 850 retreats, serving approximately 11,500 women nationwide. Retreats are typically held across the United States in 45 states with the help of more than 1,800 medical, psychosocial, fly-fishing and alumnae volunteers.
CfR Colorado retreats are offered at no cost to all women attending, including lodging, meals, professional instruction, education and support. Our quality of life retreats are open to women of all ages and in all stages of treatment and recovery, as well as women from all ethnic and economic groups, particularly the vast majority of survivors who have never attended a support group. We try to remove any barriers that would prevent someone from being able to participate. Participant expenses for the weekend consist only of travel to and from the retreat. Carpools are organized to aid those with limited access to transportation. No previous knowledge or interest in fly-fishing is necessary to participate in the retreat or to derive benefits from the weekend.
Community-based planning teams, with guidance from CfR's national staff, are responsible for the organization of the CfR program in their state or region and for fundraising to support the retreats they provide. The CfR Colorado Program (CfR CO) has hosted at least one annual retreat since 2003 (except for 2020). CfR CO is led by an all-volunteer planning team and will serve women from our state. To date, over 700 Colorado breast cancer survivors have been served with a CfR retreat.
Each retreat hosts a maximum of 14 participants in various stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery, and various stages of emotional adaptation to breast cancer. Through classroom sessions, group discussions, and in-service presentations, the focus is on wellness, learning and empowerment. Medical professionals (e.g.; oncologists, R.N.'s, physical therapists), psychosocial counselors (e.g.; psychologists, social workers), fly-fishing instructors, and community members, trained specifically for the CfR program, staff each retreat as volunteers.
The format of the weekend retreat is a two and a half day event during which participants are offered direct instruction on fly casting, fly-fishing and knot tying. Participants attend two formal psychosocial events where they have the opportunity to discuss emotional issues that arise during breast cancer treatment and recovery. One is held on the first night as an ice-breaker, then the second night where they are encouraged to open up, ask questions, and share their journey. A formal medical educational session is held on the second day which includes presentations on the recovery process and such topics as lymphedema, nutrition, exercise, and leading a healthy physical life post breast cancer. Individual counseling sessions by the trained medical and psychosocial teams are available throughout the weekend. Educational materials and support resources, provided by Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and other local medical providers are incorporated into the program. All programs are provided under the guidelines and requirements of the national Casting for Recovery office.
These retreats offer women a respite from their disease and an opportunity to share their concerns, ask their questions, and become empowered on their recovery continuum while learning an entirely new skill. The attendees have the opportunity to learn more about survivorship, share their journey, and create a dynamic support group.
Organization name
Casting for Recovery, Inc.
other names
CfR Colorado
1996
Category
Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
670 S. Franklin St.Headquarters
109 East Oak St., Ste. 1GDenver County, CO, US
MT, US
Phone
406-624-6583
Other
303-808-6399
Fax
406-624-6584