Casting For Recovery ® (CFR) is a national non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer.

CFR provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life." Just as importantly, we offer an opportunity to meet new friends and have fun.

Casting for Recovery’s program incorporates counseling, educational services and the sport of fly-fishing to promote mental and physical healing.

Founded in 1996, Casting for Recovery offers 2 ½ day retreats, which include lodging, meals, and professional instruction, for breast cancer survivors across the country at no cost to the participants. Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their physicians). At the end of 2008, close to 3,500 women will have participated in the Casting for Recovery retreat program.

We rely on over 800 local volunteers to support our community based retreats, and on donations from individuals, companies, grants, and other non-profits. In 2008, thirty-seven retreats are scheduled in twenty-seven states, and retreats are also scheduled in Canada and in the U.K. through “sister” organizations.

While the retreats provide an avenue for social support and group interactions, reducing the feeling of isolation many survivors might have, the dynamics of fly fishing provide a healing connection to the natural world, relieving everyday stressors and promoting a sense of calm. Fly fishing techniques are well suited to provide a gentle exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility.

Casting for Recovery provides trained volunteer facilitators who staff each retreat including: a psychotherapist, a health care professional (e.g. physical therapist, nurse), and four fly fishing instructors. We are committed to socioeconomic and cultural diversity. For more information on Casting for Recovery, visit www.castingforrecovery.org.