Our History
Foundation of Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Retreats
Adventure Weekend was the idea of one woman, who shared it with others and from there that idea blossomed.
The idea was a kind of love letter that Betty J. Borry crafted in 1995 and sent out to every woman with breast cancer. It was an invitation to come together.
It was the type of letter a mother might send to her daughter; a sister to her sister; or friend to best friend. The kind of letter only someone who really gets you could write. She knew your quirks, but she doesn’t judge. She makes you laugh, and over the miles manages to give you the best hug ever.
Her letter finishes, “It’s okay, you can do it. We can do it.”
Betty’s Vision
Betty was an assistant principal at a New Hampshire middle school, and an avid outdoors-woman. A loyal Eastern Mountain Sports customer, for years she sought the advice of Ellen Moran, then-manager of the Peterborough store. The women talked kayaks, snowshoes, packs, hiking boots. Betty asked lots of questions, and sought Ellen’s help in deciding what kayak to buy or what trail to explore.
One day in the mid-1990’s, Betty asked Ellen for a different kind of help. In the midst of a cancer recurrence, Betty yearned for a support group that focused on living, exploring, having fun in the great outdoors. Would Ellen help her create an Outward Bound-type program for breast cancer survivors? Ellen accepted the challenge in large part because she also knows the healing powers of the outdoors. She understood what Betty wanted and why. Ellen said, “Yes.”
Paddling her kayak on a nearby lake was Betty’s ultimate sanctuary. She felt alert, alive, content. Betty wanted to share this feeling with other women who’d been told, “You have breast cancer.” Her dream was to help these women connect with each other, share stories and participate in outdoor challenges to help them better deal with the stress and changes in their lives. Betty understood the restorative powers of nature and knew she and other women with breast cancer could benefit physically, mentally and spiritually from such a program.
With support from the American Cancer Society and Eastern Mountain Sports, Betty and Ellen launched Adventure Weekend in 1995. It was so successful that over 400 women attended Adventure Weekend from 1995 through 2010.
Unfortunately, Betty lost her battle with breast cancer in 2001, but before she passed away, she hand-picked a group of women and expressed her desire for them to continue her legacy of hope and healing through the development of a nonprofit organization. In 2002, those women came together and established the Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Adventure Weekend Inc. to honor her memory.
By the end of 2010, The American Cancer Society made the difficult decision to withdraw its funding support. Since then, our organization has worked to honor Betty’s wishes and these adventure weekend retreats continue with the dedication of the original co-founders, countless volunteers, community partners and our generous supporters.
Where We Are Today…
Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Adventure Weekend, Inc. (DBA Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Retreats) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering hope and enhancing the quality of life for breast cancer survivors. Our mission is to further Betty's legacy of support and empowerment for women living after breast cancer by providing “challenge by choice” adventures, expressive and healing arts activities and peer support in an inclusive and invigorating outdoor retreat environment where women gain confidence, make new friends and discover the healing power of nature.