Photo Credit: Courtesy of Butler County Metro Park
In 1996, Casting for Recovery, a national non-profit organization, began to support breast-cancer survivors in a rather unique way--through fly-fishing. This is accomplished through weekend retreats that combine fly-fishing with counseling and medical information to help participants focus on wellness.
Why fly-fishing? A physical benefit is the casting movement, which mimics some of the physical-therapy exercises used to increase range of motion and mobility as well as to move fluids through the lymph system, which prevents or alleviates lymphedema. Emotionally, the serenity that comes with fly-fishing, the satisfaction of learning a new skill, and the bonds created by learning in a group setting draw participants.
Each day, 500 women in this country are diagnosed with breast cancer. Many are reluctant to join traditional cancer-related support groups because they remind patients of hospitals and treatment, while others don’t think they need a support group.