For a quarter of a century, Casting for Recovery (CfR) has been providing fly-fishing retreats to empower women with breast cancer. Founded in 1996 in Manchester, Vermont, with Orvis as its first sponsor, CfR started with a small group of diverse, talented volunteers and one retreat. The idea was simple; provide women with the opportunity to escape all that a breast cancer diagnosis brings by giving them a safe space to connect with each other and nature. Orvis has been an integral partner to Casting for Recovery since the beginning. Based on needs of the organization, Orvis has provided product support with waders, boots, rods, and reels, and has also made a significant financial contribution with over $400,000 raised for CfR over the last 25 years. With the help of Orvis, CfR has served more than 10,000 women!
With Orvis as a champion, the organization continues to innovate to better serve the diverse community of women with breast cancer. Orvis and CfR have recently signed the Angling for All pledge. Created by Brown Folks Fishing, the pledge establishes a commitment and resource for the fishing industry to identify and eliminate barriers for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, creating a more inclusive and equitable sport and lasting change. CfR now provides specific programming for women with Stage IV metastatic (advanced) cancer as well as a Southeast Regional Retreat for women of color living in the Mississippi Delta. In addition, CfR has provided retreats for military women, low-income women, young women under 40, Native American women, and other groups disproportionately affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer does not discriminate. Offering inclusive programming is essential to the mission of CfR and the focus of the Orvis sponsorship. This year with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, 47 retreats will take place nationwide, including a specialty retreat for health care workers with breast cancer.
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