Casting for Recovery Washington (CfR Washington)

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 themselves. 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 served approximately 13,500 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.

The 2.5-day retreats provide lodging, meals, professional fly fishing instruction, medical education, and psychosocial 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. necessary to participate in the retreat or to derive benefits from the weekend.

The CfR Washington Program (CfR WA) has hosted at least one annual retreat since 2000, and has served over 300 women. CfR WA is led by an all-volunteer team and will serve women from our state.

No one speaks to the impact of these programs more powerfully than the women we serve!

"I used to fish off a dock with my dad when I was younger, it brought back those memories that were special since he passed a year ago. It was also so peaceful, and I didn't have to think about cancer. It was a great bonding experience."

"(The most powerful part about spending this retreat with other women with breast cancer was) I didn't feel alone. I was surrounded by others who knew exactly what I am going through. It is one thing to read about side effects or have your doctor tell you this or that is expected but to hear that other women encountered the same issues gave me a feeling of not being alone with what I have been experiencing and relieved some worry."

"(Being in nature) allowed me to be present, enjoy the scenery, fresh air, to forget about work or responsibilities. Nature grounds me. I know when I feel out of sorts I need to either go stare at the water or take a drive through the park surrounded by trees."