“It was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done!” Soda Springs Batch Plant Manager Braidon Ward said about his experience volunteering for the Reel Recovery program.
Reel Recovery is a non-profit organization that brings male cancer patients together during a weekend retreat. It was established by a group of fly-fishers who personally experienced how beneficial fly fishing had been for their friend who suffered from brain cancer. According to their website, “the organization provides men with all forms of cancer a unique opportunity to share their stories, learn a new skill, form lasting friendships and gain renewed hope as they confront the challenges of cancer.”
Braidon heard about the program from a friend who had volunteered in the past. Braidon’s own father is battling cancer. He signed his father and himself up for the program as participant and volunteer. Braidon then had the opportunity to be one of the 15 “buddies” who helped the participants fish over the weekend. “At least for my dad, it really helped him out to have people who understood what he was going through. Some of the participants were really sick. We had to help them to make sure that they each caught a fish, and they all did,” Braidon said.
Braidon doesn’t feel like he deserves any recognition for participating, “To me it was not about the fishing. It was about being able to hang out with the brave men who were battling cancer, while spending time in the mountains. It felt great to be able to do something to help take their mind off of their problems; if only for the weekend. The appreciation of those guys to us for helping them out was really cool. I am definitely going to be involved in it in the future.”
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