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Breast cancer survivors ‘cast for recovery’
Ashley Peterson - Thu, Jan, 7, 2010
A perfect “fly” and cast line hooked Farragut residents Lindsay Long, East Tennessee’s Casting for Recovery program coordinator, and medical transcriptionist Pamela Krapf into Casting for Recovery, a fly-fishing mid-March weekend retreat for women directly impacted by breast cancer.
Long first heard of CFR in 2002, but Tennessee didn’t have its own retreat at the time.
In 2006, Long finally was selected to participate. Applicants are selected randomly.
At her 2006 retreat, CFR instructors Mary K. Jenkins and Charity Rutter of Townsend “worked” on Long all weekend, she said.
“They selected the perfect fly, cast the line, danced the fly before me as I was experiencing the most wonderful respite, hooked me and reeled me in, and landed me,” Long said.
“Instead of practicing catch-and-release, they held on tight, and before I knew it I was smack dab in the middle of planning for Tennessee’s first Casting for Recovery retreat in 2007.”
Krapf first heard of CFR when she received a brochure at Race for the Cure in 2006. She went on her first trip in 2008 and was a CFR staff member in 2009.
“I was so impressed that this group of people, this staff would spend their time and energy to treat ... women like they were gold,” Krapf said.
“I really enjoyed getting to know the rest of the women and hearing their stories and being exposed to something new – I had never fished before. It opened up a whole new world to me.
“It’s a life-changing weekend. Whether you fish or not, it would change someone’s life. I encourage every woman affected by breast cancer in Tennessee to put their name in a hat to be a part of this,” she added.
Long agreed that women pick up fishing quickly.
“It’s amazing how fast each woman learns … as if she had been fishing her whole life,” Long said.
“It’s not just a feel-good retreat, it’s a bonding experience,” Long said.
The retreat features ice-breakers, live bluegrass music, “scrumptious” food, a Sunday morning musical gathering, fly-fishing lessons and a three-hour fly-casting experience with a personal river guide.
After the retreat ends, the fun doesn’t stop. Most of those involved will sign a “care to share” form that enables everyone to keep in touch.
Long said, “We try to hold events so the women can continue to fish or just get together and enjoy their new friendships.”
Staff members on the CFR retreat are medical and physical therapists, lymph edema therapists, psychosocial therapists and river guides.
As a staff member and a longer-term survivor, Krapf said, “It’s nice to know I’m a source of hope for [others], especially those who are early on in their battle.
“I choose to ‘pay it forward,’” she added.
Any woman living in Tennessee that has, or has had, breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend the CFR retreat.
CFR retreats are appropriate for any age, any stage of treatment or recovery, those newly diagnosed or 30 years out from diagnosis, Long said.
CFR attendees stay at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg (www.buckberrylodge.com) and fish on a stretch of private water on Norton Creek.
Fourteen women are selected to attend, but 20 alternates also are selected in case one or more of the 14 are unable to attend.
Deadline for applications is Jan. 29. Those qualified may apply on-line at www.castingforrecovery.org or by calling 888-553-3500.
Krafp said the weekend is a chance to “get away where you don’t have to worry about anything. To have someone support, lift you up and teach you new things.”
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