In the News

NH Nonprofit Awarded Top Honors for Work with Breast Cancer Survivors

Cynthia E. Cote

Cynthia E. Cote of Durham, NH President and Executive Director of Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Retreats, recently accepted an award at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center's annual fundraiser, The One Hundred.

Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreats, a New Hampshire nonprofit, was one of 100 individuals and groups honored. The award honors those "whose diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer. Funds raised at the gala support research, patient care, education and community outreach programs.”

Cote said the award really belongs to Betty J. Borry who founded the organization's original program, Adventure Weekend, in 1995 with the help of Ellen Moran of Hancock. Ellen was then the manager at the Peterborough Eastern Mountain Sports store. Borry was a regular customer. Over the years, Borry sought Moran's advice on everything from hiking boots and socks to kayaks. The two appreciated each other's knowledge and love of the outdoors.

When Borry suffered a recurrence of her breast cancer, she asked Moran if she'd help create an Outward Bound-type weekend for women with breast cancer. Borry explained that she just didn't want to sit in another traditional support group. She wanted to gather with other women who'd also been diagnosed with breast cancer, but it had to be outdoors centered and fun. Borry loved how alive and serene she felt while walking in the woods or paddling her kayak. She wanted to share this magic with other women like her. The women could do as much as each could or wanted. If one chose not to paddle because of a recent surgery or radiation, she might still walk in the woods or wade in the water. You could choose what to do, but “do something and do it outdoors” was Borry's challenge.

Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreats Adventure Women at summit of Mt Willard Crawford Notch, NH
And thus was born “Adventure Weekend,” which since it's founding in 1995 has brought hundreds of women together for a retreat weekend in the woods of New Hampshire.

Cynthia Cote was at that very first Adventure Weekend. Like the other participants, Cynthia had sat in her doctor's office, after a series of tests only to “hear those mind-numbing words, 'You have breast cancer.'

Emerging from months of treatment for advanced breast cancer, she knew her healing was all about getting out into nature. “I needed this weekend.” Cynthia kayaked in near-hurricane rain and winds at the very first Adventure Weekend in 1995. “I’d been through so much, what was a little weather? And you know, paddling with all those women in that horrible weather made me see I could do anything. I felt so strong.”

“Adventure Weekend taught me about support. We were all in different places-- some of us still in treatment, some just diagnosed and others out of treatment for five to 10 years. Different places, but we all understood each other.”

Shortly after that weekend, Betty asked Cynthia to come back and help with future Adventure Weekends. “Betty was getting weaker and didn’t know how much longer she could run the weekends. She was training us up”.

Betty died in 2001, knowing Adventure Weekend was secure, diligently watched over and nurtured by Cote, Moran and others whom Betty had also handpicked when she saw their leadership and support qualities.

It was under the leadership of Cynthia Cote and the founding board of directors that Adventure Weekend expanded into a year-round adventure-based retreat program for women living after breast cancer. "Adventure Weekend was so important to all of us, our new friendships were like none other. We needed to continue the support and empowerment which we found at Adventure Weekend”.

In 2002, the Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreats became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization fulfilling Betty’s dream of providing outdoor adventures for women living after breast cancer. Just as Betty paid it forward in 1995, others continue to do the same through donations of time, money, corporate sponsorship and informing other breast cancer women about the retreats.

“It is a great honor to be awarded “the one hundred” 2013 by the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.” The Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreats joins a growing community of individuals and groups committed to defeat this disease and improve the daily life of those with cancer…. “There is strength in numbers”.

Come experience the strength, hope and healing of women living after breast. Registrations are now open for 2013 Adventure Weekend and the Breast Cancer Fall Retreat 2013. To register: www.bjbbreastcancerretreats.org

Articles