The Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation’s flagship program, Infinite Boundaries, is a four-day wellness program for women who have experienced breast cancer. Designed by breast cancer survivors for breast cancer survivors, each retreat features a unique mixture of healing approaches: uplifting discussions, creative arts and outdoor adventures. BCRF also sponsors the annual Sharing the Knowledge research conference, featuring lectures on recent trends in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer and a variety of educational workshops.

“In the midst of cancer–even for someone with a very positive attitude–there are times when you absolutely sink to your knees, no matter how hard you try or how many times you say, “Oh I’m fine.” Then you climb back up again. When you are with other women who’ve done the same thing, that positive attitude is contagious. And when women are able to talk about what’s really in their hearts–fears, hopes, and dreams–that’s when they have the key to healing.” - Joan M., Infinite Boundaries Retreat 1999

Infinite Boundaries was founded in 1996 by Ann Haney. As an administrator for the Wisconsin Division of Health under Governor Tommy Thompson, Ann coordinated breast and cervical cancer screening programs throughout the state. Through conversations with many of the women she met through the screening programs, Ann recognized that for many women, the loss of a breast can be a loss of feminine identity. Ann understood that healing of the heart and mind was essential for a full recovery. Shortly after leaving her position as a state official, Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ann conceived the idea for Infinite Boundaries retreats while sitting on the shore of Lake Superior, recovering from a round of chemotherapy. She thought that if the lake could help her heal, maybe such a setting could help other women as well. Countless friends and colleagues encouraged Ann to launch her dream of a recovery program designed for breast cancer survivors. Particular credit is given to Dean Health Plan, Ann’s employer at the time of her diagnosis. Dean Health Plan was a founding contributor, and their generous donation allowed Ann to create her dream of creating a healing space for breast cancer survivors. Dean Health Plan continues to demonstrate their confidence in the Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc. with annual donations of support.

Infinite Boundaries is conceived on the premise that for many breast cancer survivors, the completion of medical treatments often marks only the very beginning of the path to full recovery. Difficult quality-of-life issues frequently surface after treatment. Survivors may feel physically violated after the surgery, traumatized by this life-threatening disease, and ill equipped to deal with the major life changes a diagnosis of breast cancer can bring. Other complicating issues can include worry about the strain the diagnosis has placed on a spouse or partner, children, the loss of income and other financial stresses due to extended absences from work, the absence of routine, and even changes in some personal relationships. Although many women receive state of the art medical care, many need support which family, friends, and support groups are not always able to provide.

Infinite Boundaries retreats encourage breast cancer survivors to overcome some of the limitations they may have set for themselves by discussing their emotional response to the disease and by exploring new physical challenges. Each Infinite Boundaries retreat features a team of breast cancer survivors who assist with group discussions and physical outings. During each retreat, breast cancer survivors are given the chance to learn new skills such as kayaking, hiking, NIA and Yoga - skills which many may have thought were beyond their reach after a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Infinite Boundaries retreats offer breast cancer survivors the opportunity to explore their creative side through painting, jewelry making, journaling and beading. Emotional support is fostered by facilitated group discussions on topics that include the fear of recurrence, restoring one’s sensuality and sexuality, dealing with the emotions of anger, guilt, and betrayal, and one’s spiritual response to living with cancer.

“It was the first place I was able to articulate my fears about recurrence and death. It’s really hard to do that with your family, because they’re having such a hard time dealing with this anyhow. And while I had thought about it often, the retreat was the first place I actually said those words. For me, that was huge, because it had such a profound healing effect.” - Judi J., Infinite Boundaries Retreat 2000

Evaluations demonstrate that participants feel empowered by the Infinite Boundaries experience. They have learned new physical skills and - perhaps for the first time - they have openly discussed their fear of recurrence and the anger and guilt they may harbor. Women leave uplifted and with a change in their attitude.

Working with the HealthEmotions Research Institute, a division of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, BCRF has sought to quantify the psychosocial changes in women who attend an Infinite Boundaries retreat. Funding for this research has been received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® and the Pfeiffer Foundation. Preliminary results are promising: most notably that the retreats are associated with both immediate and subsequent psychosocial health benefits. Through detailed questionnaires, researchers assessed participants’ mood, social support, coping, general functioning, and overall quality of life. Baseline psychosocial measures were obtained two weeks prior to the retreat; assessments were made immediately following the retreat and at three, six, and twelve months post-retreat. Preliminary data suggest retreat participation results in significant improvements in body image, significant increases in positive affect, and significant decreases in both negative affect and anxiety among retreat participants. Reported depressive symptoms, while not reaching the level of statistical significance, were lower as well. In addition, retreatants report significant improvement in self-image, general well being, and functional well-being.

Nature is a powerful healer and many Infinite Boundaries retreats take place on Madeline Island, Lake Superior. Other retreats have taken place in Door County, Wisconsin, Big Sky, Montana and Grand Marais, Minnesota. For six years beginning in 2001, Infinite Boundaries retreats were also held outside of Houston, Texas with the support of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Because women living with breast cancer often face considerable medical expense during and after diagnosis, BCRF places a strong emphasis on ensuring that all women – regardless of financial standing - can experience an Infinite Boundaries retreat. Eight out of ten women who attend an Infinite Boundaries retreat do so with the generous help of BCRF’s many supporters. The BCRF maintains a base of support for its many programs through foundation grants, individual gifts, cooperative relationships with corporations, organizations and hospital auxiliaries that provide Infinite Boundaries scholarships, and through special events.

Major gifts of support have been received from the following organizations: Affinity Health System, American Family Insurance, Basset Foundation, Bowers & Associates, Bryant Foundation, Dean Health Plan, Dean/St. Marys, Evjue Foundation, Executive Women’s Golf Association, FilmCON, Franciscan Skemp, IBM, John J. Frautschi Family Foundation, Junior League of Madison, Kimberly Clark Foundation, Lands’ End, Elmer Leach Foundation, Race for the Cure Madison Affiliate Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Madison Junior Woman’s Club, MD Anderson Cancer Center Place…of Wellness, R S & K, Inc., Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, Thousand Hills Foundation, Inc., University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Upfront Productions, WEA Trust, Wahlin Foundation, Wausau Benefits, Wisconsin Hospital Association, Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, and the Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters.

BCRF is a member of the Wisconsin Cancer Council and the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. Representatives of BCRF serve on the planning committee for the Madison Race for the Cure as well as the Witness Project. BCRF actively networks with area hospital staffs, breast cancer support groups, parish nurses, oncology nursing associations, and hospital auxiliaries throughout the state of Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.