Wonderful 'activity' opportunities available to BC folk after 'active treatment' finishes

arpie
arpie Member Posts: 7,521
Hi guys

If you have completed your 'active treatment' (ie surgery, chemo & Rads (- your AI tablets don't affect your ability to apply .... ) there are some wonderful philanthropic organisations that are happy to provide you with 'new challenges' or a free holiday with family & friends ...... I am sure that if you are comfortable with any ongoing treatment (other than AIs) that you would ALSO be able to engage in these activities.

2 that I am aware of, and I am SURE there are more - if you know of any more (irrelevant of what state they are in) please add them here!

No. 1
The Otis Foundation is basically Australia Wide, where wonderful families make their 'holiday shacks' available to those with breast cancer when they are not using it themselves - at NO COST with all bedding etc included - all you have to do is get there & take your own food (and trust me, they are NOT really 'shacks' ....) I stayed at one in Thredbo in 2019 and it was WONDERFUL! 

Some can cater for up to 8 people or more - so you can choose family and/or friends to attend with you! 

Check out:  www.otisfoundation.org.au to see how many are in YOUR state, as retreats 'come & go' - specially now with Covid still active!  Covid is currently restricting people to only staying within their own state - and sadly, Tas & WA don't have any retreats available just now - but that can change in a heartbeat - so make contact with Otis & ask to be put onto the 'waiting list'!
https://otisfoundation.org.au/directory
 
No. 2
The other one is for those who'd like to have a go at Fly Fishing ..... a therapeutic two/three days, with pampering, accommodation & food supplied, as well as tuition in fly fishing (with all equipment supplied) & learning new skills and making new friends - Even if you've never fly fished before - you are welcome to try it out .....: I have ben lucky enough to be included in one event even tho I don't live in Vic!
https://www.castingforrecoveryvic.org/who-are-we

Canberra also has a similar Fly Fishing setup - but you do need to be a resident of the ACT to be able to attend theirs.
https://www.facebook.com/castingforrecoveryact/

Feel free to add ANY activity below that you know, that are available, free of charge to our BC members ... it would be really good to have the one 'spot' with all the retreats together!

take care - and don't be afraid to give things 'a go' even if you've never done it before!!

Comments

  • Julez1958
    Julez1958 Member Posts: 1,101
    There is also dragons abreast Australia - not savvy enough to put the link here but you can Google it.
    My niece who is in her 20s ( I don’t have children but have been like a second mum to her) joined the local group to meet ladies with breast cancer or who have had it to better understand my situation .
    The 7am start has been a bit of a hurdle for me .
  • Cath62
    Cath62 Member Posts: 1,267
    Really fantastic opportunities there @arpie and @Julez1958. I took an Otis break and it was really amazing for me and my husband. I treated it was a reward for all the active treatment. I made a donation too. Great organisation that really help those who are having treatment.
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    For our Tassie members, I've found Homely Retreats - where BC patients and their families are offered complimentary (or heavily subsidised) accommodation in Tasmania ... check it out further info here:

    https://homelyretreats.com.au/what-we-do/

    Whilst they don't appear to have sent out news letters since late 2022, their facebook page indicates the retreats are still actively being used xx

    https://www.facebook.com/homelyretreats/
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    edited April 2023
    This website has a whole LOT of different services in all states (or you can select YOUR state to see what is available, near you) including Otis Foundation & BCNA ..... 

    The Information Station - Informative breast cancer websites at your fingertips.


    https://breastcancer.com.au/

    Some of the links: 

    http://youngpinksisters.org.au/

    http://www.beuplifted.org.au/ (Qld)

    http://www.bloomhill.com.au/ (Qld)

    http://www.breastcancer.org.au/ (WA)

    http://www.dreams2live4.org.au/ (Australia wide, for Mets BC)

    and others
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    Victorians  - Cancer Council Victoria's Holiday Break Program can provide you with a one-off short getaway, at no cost.....

    It has been put on hold over Covid, but they hope it will be re-started sometime in 2023 .... maybe make contact & ask to be put on their list?


    https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/holiday-break-program
  • cranky_granny
    cranky_granny Member Posts: 690
    Hi @arpie i just tried the bosom buddies link. Better click on it and let me know if it takes you to the same site i ended up on. I don’t think i would get a job as a topless waitress 
  • Afraser
    Afraser Member Posts: 4,352
    Hah! I checked out bosombuddies just out of curiosity, interesting but not what I think was intended! 
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    edited April 2023
    hahaha @cranky_granny @Afraser

    Well spotted - that is funny!!! I'll ask the Mods to delete that one AND the Breacan one too!!
     
     @Jenny_BCNA. @Risha_BCNA ... could you delete the links to 'bosom buddies & Breacan' on the post above about

    The Information Station - Informative breast cancer websites at your fingertips.


    I didn't go into each site, but will now!!  I just assumed that anything on the original site would have been checked & 'kosher'! LOL. Won't fall for that one again!

    Maybe originally it was 'kosher' but 'folded', then this other mob took it up!!  LOL
  • Jenny_BCNA
    Jenny_BCNA Administrator, Staff, Member, Moderator Posts: 149
    thanks @arpie I have removed those links.
  • Sketa
    Sketa Member Posts: 18
    Hi Jenny, just wondering, if there are any recovery getaways in Qld? - Going in again next week and reckon I might need a break this time around.
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    @Sketa ... there are currently 3 'known' retreats in Qld, if you click on the Otis Foundation link on the first post ..... so you can only imagine how 'busy' they would be.   Make contact with Otis & they may have 'other' retreats that aren't on the public page .... but there is every chance there will be months before you could be offered a 'date'.

    In the meantime, feel free to jump onto the 'newly diagnosed' thread & tell us a bit about yourself .... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/categories/newly-diagnosed
    or on the 'Highs & Lows of Survivorship' thread if you've already had surgery & treatment xx
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/categories/now-what-the-highs-and-lows-of-survivorship

    take care xx



  • Sketa
    Sketa Member Posts: 18
    Thanks for the information @arpie ; it is greatly appreciated.  I will look into them.  Talk more on the links you suggested.  Thanks again. :)