When Wanda Taylor attended an Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Wyoming in the early ’90s, she had no idea a conversation she had with a friend would later inspire her to use her fly-fishing expertise to help breast cancer survivors. However, in 1996, when Orvis officially became a sponsor of the fly-fishing retreat weekends her friend began shortly after that conversation, Casting for Recovery (CFR) was established, and Taylor knew she had found her calling.
“When the desire to help women overcome the physical and emotional effects of breast cancer and the love of fly-fishing came together, a unique program was born. I was so inspired by it that I knew I had to bring Casting for Recovery to the South as soon as I possibly could,” said Taylor, who has worked with the CFR program as a volunteer, retreat leader and fundraiser for CFR nationally and internationally since 2001. “In 2002, with the help of Starr Nolan, we brought CFR to North Carolina, and in 2007, with the help of Mary K. Jenkins, and a donation from the first year of proceeds from the Temple Fork Outfitters-Casting for Recovery Rod of Hope, we began holding CFR retreats in Tennessee.”
While fly-fishing and breast cancer might seem like a strange combination, to the women who have had the opportunity to participate in the CFR program, fly-fishing is a vital step in their breast cancer recovery process. The retreats allow these women to gather together in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, “a sport for life.” “It was wonderful to try to learn to fly-fish — it was fun, relaxing and humorous. I can’t say enough good things about our guides,” said Deborah Akins who participated in the CFR Gatlinburg retreat in 2007. “But, in addition to learning to fish, there were medical professionals there to answer questions about our fears of reoccurrence, side effects of medication, exercise tips and a variety of other issues. The entire experience was truly amazing, and being with other breast cancer survivors who understand what you have been through, despite our differing ages, circumstances and treatments, was humbling.”
Social support
The CFR program incorporates counseling, educational services and the sport of fly-fishing to promote mental and physical healing in breast cancer survivors. The two-and-a-half day retreats are designed to provide an avenue for social support and group interactions, reducing the feeling of isolation many survivors might have.
“Almost everyone will be touched by breast cancer in some way. In fact, every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer — that’s one in eight women and one in 100 men each year,” said Lindsay Long, the 2009 CFR Tennessee coordinator. “Many of the women that apply for CFR retreats have a courage developed through their experience with breast cancer. Some would have never considered fly-fishing before their diagnosis but now have a new outlook on life and are willing to come out of their comfort zones and try a new sport. Because the retreats are small and intimate, the women are able to form lasting bonds with each other as they learn, laugh and cry together. The weekend culminates with the women out on the stream, as they land their catch — and the smiles on their faces epitomize the word ‘survivor.’”
Healing sport
At the retreats, participants learn the fundamentals of fly-casting, entomology, knot-tying and equipment basics as they spend time on the water practicing catch-and-release fishing. The dynamics of fly-fishing create a healing connection to the natural world, relieving everyday stressors and promoting a sense of calm. Fly-fishing techniques provide therapeutic motion for joint and soft tissue stretching in areas affected by radiation or surgery. Participants also have the opportunity to talk to medical experts who provide the latest information about treatments, early detection and dealing with lymphedema, fatigue, reconstruction and medication.
Dr. Daniel Guy, an orthopedic surgeon in LaGrange, Ga., and Akins’ brother, said breast cancer treatment varies due to the severity and extent of the disease, but when spread or metastasis occurs to the lymphatics and lymph nodes about the shoulder, more aggressive treatment may include radiation and surgery. Both types of treatment can result in swelling in the upper extremity, which can sometimes cause stiffness and discomfort. The shoulder movement from the casting motion in fly-fishing helps improve range of motion, while the overhead position of arm helps control swelling. The result is improved function and less discomfort.
Post-retreat participant evaluations show that after attending a retreat, 88 percent felt better able to cope with their disease and are more aware and accepting of themselves; 99 percent would recommend this program to/for others; 89 percent learned something new about breast cancer; 97 percent felt connected with other participants; and 90 percent intend to continue participating in the sport of fly-fishing.
Free of charge
At the end of 2008, the program had served 3,500 women through 224 retreats with the help of over 1,000 volunteers nationwide.
The retreats are provided free of cost to participants, and they are open to any woman who has had or has breast cancer. The average cost of one retreat is $12,000 to 14,000, and each chapter of CFR is self-funding and raises money to help underwrite the cost of each retreat.
“Our goal is to take these women away from all of the medical stuff, like insurance, doctors and hospitals, and get them back to nature. We are always looking for people who can help us make this possible through individual donations, grants, corporations and other non-profits,” said 2007-2008 CFR TN Coordinator Mary K. Jenkins.
For information on participating in a retreat, visit castingforrecovery.org.
Source: www.thedailytimes.com
