Support Servicewomen during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Military servicewomen are 20-40% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than their civilian peers in the same age group (Walter Reed study, 2009). This October, Casting for Recovery (CfR) is asking for our help to support more military women with breast cancer at their healing retreats in 2025.

Casting for Recovery is a national nonprofit that provides free fly fishing wellness retreats for women in any stage of breast cancer treatment and recovery. In 2025, CfR will serve over 800 women at 60+ retreats nationwide, introducing them to the therapeutic sport of fly fishing and providing oncology wellness support from compassionate professionals. The demand for retreats is high. CfR receives close to 100 applications annually from female veterans or active duty servicewomen who have received a breast cancer diagnosis.

CfR retreats create a supportive community for women, many of whom have never attended a breast cancer support group. With a focus on empowerment and camaraderie, Casting for Recovery provides resources to help women move positively forward in their lives.

- To date, CfR has served over 12,000 women with breast cancer
- 70% of applicants have never attended a support group for their beast cancer
- CfR was founded by a reconstructive breast surgeon and a professional angler

Why fly fishing? The casting motion of fly fishing is similar to exercises prescribed to women following surgery or radiation for breast cancer, and can be good physical therapy for increasing mobility in the arm and upper body. Couple that with the emotional benefits of connecting with other women and nature, and it’s powerful medicine!

The Need
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Following treatment, women face long-term psychosocial and physical issues related to body disfigurement, depression, anxiety, and a compromised quality of life.

CfR focuses exclusively on survivorship, but is only able to serve 1 woman for every 3 who apply for the program. The need for survivorship resources is even greater in underserved populations, including veterans and active duty servicewomen.

CfR's impact is most powerfully described by the women we serve:

“There’s a bond, a camaraderie that just can’t be explained. You feel loved, you feel supported, you feel connected, you begin to feel whole again, and you begin to feel hope again.”

“The wounded warrior units at army posts are geared towards males. I ached for female camaraderie. So grateful for this time of sharing and rejuvenation.”

“Breast cancer survivors are a sisterhood borne out of a disease that no one willingly becomes a part of. Military sisterhood is borne out of a willingness to serve our country that very few women become a part of. Being a “twofer” is a rare sisterhood.”

Help us empower more servicewomen by supporting Casting for Recovery today. THANK YOU!

Casting for Recovery is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization. EIN 03-0354382