Early this year, Robin Wheeler lost a close friend, 31-year-old
Charlie Bonner, to stomach cancer.
Before Bonner’s death in February, however, he went to a Reel
Recovery retreat in Denver.
“He had a very good time,” Wheeler says. “He looked forward to
going, and he came back recharged.”
Reel Recovery is a program where men battling cancer come together
to escape, interact with each other, and learn how to fly fish. The
majority of the retreats are as close as Texas, but some are as far
away as California.
Now Wheeler is trying to help more local men have a chance to attend
the fishing retreats.
On Friday, August 7th, Wheeler and others will host Reel Aid at
Minglewood Hall with Inner 61, Gabby Johnson, the Dirt Brothers, and
the Jeff Scheetz Band. Proceeds from the event will benefit Reel
Recovery, Casting for Recovery (a program that helps women recovering
from breast cancer), and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing for
disabled military personnel and veterans.
“To date, we have conducted 65 retreats in 12 states, and every one
has been completely free to participants,” says Stan Golub, executive
director of Reel Recovery.
The average price of a retreat is $700 a person, and each retreat
normally accommodates 12 to 14 patients. Wheeler hopes to raise enough
money for people in the Mid-South to attend a Reel Recovery retreat in
Arkansas.
“They learn they are not alone, that others have dealt with similar
issues, and they gain a network of support and friendship to help them
with their recovery after the event ends,” Golub says. “We treat them
like kings for a couple days, and they leave rejuvenated and
replenished from the fun, camaraderie, and spirit of hope that pervades
the entire experience.”
