Lori Simon Takes Over As CFR Executive Director

The non-profit support and educational program for breast cancer survivors Casting for Recovery has appointed Lori Simon as their new executive director. She takes over from founding executive director Seline Skoug, who noted: “We delivered 37 retreat programs in 28 states in 2008, we harnessed the passion and organizational skills of 1,000 volunteers, and we set new records not only for engaging the generosity of more donors and national sponsors than ever, but in increasing the percentage of our funding that goes directly to program delivery.”
Read the extended entry for the full press release.

THE FLY ROD IS PASSED: A NEW ERA FOR CASTING FOR RECOVERY
Manchester, VT, February 5, 2009: A small non-profit support and educational program for breast cancer survivors that has assisted 3,500 women and expanded its program delivery fifteen-fold since it began thirteen years ago is a testament to the power of a grassroots-based volunteer structure that continues to set a standard for a positive impact on the lives of those it serves.
Casting for Recovery (CFR), whose motto is “To Fish Is To Hope”, is entering its thirteenth year and is making the transition to the next generation of leadership as the fly rod is passed from the original Executive Director Seline Skoug to Lori Simon, who joins CFR as Executive Director from service as Montana State Director of the “grandfather” of grassroots-based organizations, the March of Dimes.
“I’m proud to welcome Lori on board at the completion of our best year ever. We delivered 37 retreat programs in 28 states in 2008, we harnessed the passion and organizational skills of 1,000 volunteers, and we set new records not only for engaging the generosity of more donors and national sponsors than ever, but in increasing the percentage of our funding that goes directly to program delivery.”, outgoing Executive Director Seline Skoug commented. “The last ten years has been an incredible journey, and I’m proud to be “passing the fly rod” on at this time, knowing that I’m able to move on to new ventures while leaving a strong organization that has brought new hope and healing to 3,500 women–one by one–in experienced hands. Change is always challenging, yet as CFR has always been unique in its ability to work intelligently and react capably to each new demand on its resources, I’m confident that we’ve set the foundation for healthy growth in the years to come. ”
Lori Simon adds “I’m thrilled to be able to work with Seline during this transition as we move to the next stage in delivering our services to women. The incredible power of volunteers that Casting for Recovery is able to engage is one of the major reasons I was attracted to this organization. CFR’s record of organic growth is based on a mindful attention to quality and mission. This, as well as the skills and enthusiasm that our dedicated staff and volunteers bring to us, makes me particularly confident that even during these challenging times our generous donors, who share a passion for our mission, will help us meet the continued high demand for our life-changing program.”
About Casting for Recovery
Casting for Recovery retreats incorporate counseling, educational services and fly fishing to promote physical and mental healing. Casting for Recovery provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, “a sport for life”. Since 1996 CFR has served almost 3,500 breast cancer survivors, with the help of 1,000 volunteers, in retreats that provide emotional and medical support and teach new skills through catch-and-release fly fishing. In 2009 43 retreats are scheduled in 28 states, serving women across the country.
Casting for Recovery retreat programs are offered at no cost to the participants. Numerous medical and psychosocial professionals and institutions consider Casting for Recovery one of the leading programs providing support for women with breast cancer. Retreats are also held in Canada and the United Kingdom through sister organizations, Casting for Recovery-Canada and Casting for Recovery-UK/Ireland.
Casting for Recovery is supported by generous donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Our national sponsors are The Hartford (www.thehartford.com), a Fortune 100 company that is one of the nation’s largest financial services and insurance companies and a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products, and business property and casualty insurance; Under Armour® (www.underarmour.com), a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories, whose “Power In Pink” program is an effort to help educate women about the important link between physical activity and winning the battle against breast cancer; and Albright Tackle, LLC (www.albrighttackle.com), a leading manufacturer of fly-fishing equipment.
Casting for Recovery is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. For more information about the Casting for Recovery program, please call: 802-362-9181 or visit www.castingforrecovery.org.