THE FOURTH ANNUAL KNOTTY GIRL MOUNTAIN RETREAT
for Breast Cancer Survivors - Labor Day Weekend 2019
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Third Annual Knotty Girl Mountain Retreat
...August 30 - Sept 3, 2018... 
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Murphy, NC – September 10, 2018 – For the third year in a row, the non-profit organization known as Knotty Girl Loves, Inc. hosted their Annual Knotty Girl Mountain Retreat for breast cancer survivors over Labor Day weekend in Murphy, North Carolina with survivors from Highlands County and the Orlando area.
“I feel confident, assured and empowered! All of that has been possible because of (the women on this Retreat.)” – KelleenAlleen Knotty Girl Retreat guest and breast cancer survivor of four (4) years. With a weekend theme of “Reconnect, Relax and Exhale,” the breast cancer survivors and Knotty Girl team participated in activities such as zip lining, hiking, kayaking, art therapy and a fly fishing clinic that promoted wellness, teamwork and camaraderie. Paired with the mountains, water, fresh air and soothing environment the survivors finished up the weekend feeling refreshed, centered and ready for the next step in their journey. “I’m so honored to have created memories that will last a lifetime. Who says good things can’t come out of cancer - without cancer I would not have gained good friends!”– Jane Bayless, Knotty Girl Retreat guest and breast cancer survivor of one (1) year. With her rope and knot body, Knotty Girl is a visual representation of what breast cancer can feel like…round and hard like a KNOT! Her mission is to educate on the importance of monthly breast self-checks. Knowing how your body looks and feels will help to alert your health care provider with any changes you may notice between mammograms and annual wellness exams with your doctor. Early detection is the best prevention in the fight against breast cancer. “There is not a spa on earth where I've been treated so special, so glorious, so spectacular than this Knotty Girl Retreat in the mountains! The attention to detail, the overwhelming support and love was something I will carry with me forever. I want every woman who has gone through the horrors of breast cancer to allow someone to take care of them like this and remember Joy and just BREATHE!” – Corine Fahlsing Knotty Girl Retreat guest and breast cancer survivor of three (3) years. “My very first birthday after the prognosis and "cures" I was asked "how are you going to celebrate, what do you want?” I said, I'm not going to have birthdays anymore. Every day I wake up and take a breath is a celebration of life! I don't need to celebrate one particular day…I celebrate them all!” – Teresa Vicker Knotty Girl Retreat guest and breast cancer survivor of 16 years. For the Third Annual Knotty Girl Mountain Retreat, breast cancer survivors from Lunch Club Wednesday (an all ladies networking club based in Sebring, FL) and the leadership from the Orlando Warriors on Water (an all breast cancer survivor Dragon Boat paddling team) were invited to submit an application to attend. The group of survivors included, Jane Bayless, Teresa Vicker, Corine Fahlsing, Kelleen Allen, Bobbie Christopher and Debbie Mayer. The survivors were hosted at Albritton’s vacation home in the Smoky Mountains along with “staff” members Knotty Girl Graphic Designer and Social Media Coordinator – Kristy Harris, Cindy Jenkins and breast cancer survivor Yvette MacQueen. With lodging covered, the Knotty Girl team was able to obtain sponsorships and donations to cover the remainder of the costs including travel, food and activities for all ten (10) ladies. The Third Knotty Girl Mountain Retreat was sponsored by: Walmart (Sebring, FL and Murphy, NC), Albritton Insurance Services, Folsom Construction Management, Heartland Triathlon, Kalos Services, Warriors on Water, Adventure from Home, AlanJay Automotive Network, Gentle Footcare Center, David E. Willey DMD PL, Kristy’s Kreatives, Kendra Scott, Whisker Wear, Coffee News, Wildwater, Lowe’s, Bella K’s Handmade Goods, The Daily Grind & Wine, Heartland Spring Water, Marketplace Antiques, Mary Kay with Cindy Maxon, Miller’s Central Air, Inc., Parson’s Pub, Peace-Full Pieces Custom Jewelry, Peg’s Alterations, ShoeBooties Café, Serenity Mountain Gift Shop, Valley River Brewery, White Wolf Kayaking and Knotty Girl Friends & Family. For more information about Knotty Girl and her mission, please visit www.knottygirl.orgas well as on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. |
Second Annual Knotty Girl Mountain Retreat
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Inaugural Knotty Girl Mountain Retreat
...September 2-5, 2016...
...September 2-5, 2016...
Knotty Girls visit Downtown Murphy
Ten ladies from Florida took a very special vacation to Murphy this Labor Day weekend. They were participating in Knotty Girl’s Breast Cancer Survivor Retreat.
Diana Albritton, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, came up with the idea of Knotty Girl while working on her 2013 business plan during a visit to Murphy. While the organization primarily educates about detecting breast cancer (Allbritton says the lump she had felt like a knot), she always wanted to bring ladies to her vacation spot.
“My long-term dream was to always have a lodge for breast cancer survivors to reconnect, relax, and exhale,” she said.
Her long-term dream became a short-term one when everything fell into place to turn her vacation home into a lodge. She invited ladies she knew worked well together (they are all on a Dragon Boat Paddling Team) to stay at her Murphy home.
Albritton, along with Kristy Harris (Knotty Girl graphic artist and social media coordinator), Elena Rodriguez, Cindy Jenkins, Jan Croud, Maribel DelGado, Justine Finocchiaro-Doles, Pattie Heavener, Stephanie Parks and Marsha Goss, traveled to Murphy from Orlando, Fla. on Thursday. Throughout their stay, the ladies did hiking, white water rafting, fly fishing, and even visited local businesses during the Art Walk. “All of our activities are about connection, team building and overcoming obstacles,” Harris said.
Their activities also let them start having conversations about breast cancer with local people and build awareness.
For many of the women, it was their first time in Murphy, and they were enjoying their welcome to area. They were especially grateful for their host.
“I have never felt so blessed that someone cares this much,” said Finocchiaro-Doles, a two-time breast cancer survivor, as well as a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor from Apopka, Fla. “This is one special lady.”
The retreat was fully funded by business sponsors including Walmart (of both Sebring, Fla., and Murphy), Albritton Insurance Services, Heartland Triathlon, Wildwater, Gadreau Construction, Alan Jay Automotive Network, Publix, dentist David E. Willey, Kristy’s Kreatives, Lowe’s of Murphy, Life Brokerage Financial Group, The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, Coffee News, A Jem’s Gem, The Daily Grind & Wine, Heartland Spring Water, Marketplace Antiques, Parson’s Pub, Pretzels & Prose, Rod Brown of Farley Insurance, Sassy’s Boutique, ShoeBooties Cafe, Serenity Mountain Gift Shop, Valley River Brewery, Whisker Wear and White Wolf Kayaking.
For details about Knotty Girl, visit knottygirl.org.
Cherokee Scout - Murphy, NC
http://www.cherokeescout.com/scouting-around-local-accouting-firm-celebrates-40-years
Samantha Sinclair is the Scouting Around columnist for the Cherokee Scout. You can reach her by email, [email protected]; fax, 837-5832; or by leaving a message at 837-5122.
Ten ladies from Florida took a very special vacation to Murphy this Labor Day weekend. They were participating in Knotty Girl’s Breast Cancer Survivor Retreat.
Diana Albritton, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, came up with the idea of Knotty Girl while working on her 2013 business plan during a visit to Murphy. While the organization primarily educates about detecting breast cancer (Allbritton says the lump she had felt like a knot), she always wanted to bring ladies to her vacation spot.
“My long-term dream was to always have a lodge for breast cancer survivors to reconnect, relax, and exhale,” she said.
Her long-term dream became a short-term one when everything fell into place to turn her vacation home into a lodge. She invited ladies she knew worked well together (they are all on a Dragon Boat Paddling Team) to stay at her Murphy home.
Albritton, along with Kristy Harris (Knotty Girl graphic artist and social media coordinator), Elena Rodriguez, Cindy Jenkins, Jan Croud, Maribel DelGado, Justine Finocchiaro-Doles, Pattie Heavener, Stephanie Parks and Marsha Goss, traveled to Murphy from Orlando, Fla. on Thursday. Throughout their stay, the ladies did hiking, white water rafting, fly fishing, and even visited local businesses during the Art Walk. “All of our activities are about connection, team building and overcoming obstacles,” Harris said.
Their activities also let them start having conversations about breast cancer with local people and build awareness.
For many of the women, it was their first time in Murphy, and they were enjoying their welcome to area. They were especially grateful for their host.
“I have never felt so blessed that someone cares this much,” said Finocchiaro-Doles, a two-time breast cancer survivor, as well as a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor from Apopka, Fla. “This is one special lady.”
The retreat was fully funded by business sponsors including Walmart (of both Sebring, Fla., and Murphy), Albritton Insurance Services, Heartland Triathlon, Wildwater, Gadreau Construction, Alan Jay Automotive Network, Publix, dentist David E. Willey, Kristy’s Kreatives, Lowe’s of Murphy, Life Brokerage Financial Group, The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, Coffee News, A Jem’s Gem, The Daily Grind & Wine, Heartland Spring Water, Marketplace Antiques, Parson’s Pub, Pretzels & Prose, Rod Brown of Farley Insurance, Sassy’s Boutique, ShoeBooties Cafe, Serenity Mountain Gift Shop, Valley River Brewery, Whisker Wear and White Wolf Kayaking.
For details about Knotty Girl, visit knottygirl.org.
Cherokee Scout - Murphy, NC
http://www.cherokeescout.com/scouting-around-local-accouting-firm-celebrates-40-years
Samantha Sinclair is the Scouting Around columnist for the Cherokee Scout. You can reach her by email, [email protected]; fax, 837-5832; or by leaving a message at 837-5122.
