Girls with Guts also offers free “newbie” retreats that focus on relationship-building among women who were recently diagnosed with their conditions or are new to the group, Aiello says. Naturally, that means lots of icebreakers, she adds, which, yes, could be intimidating, but that’s actually where the magic happens. “Having Girls with Guts, the retreats and so many friends who have the same experiences as me has made a world of difference in navigating this journey,” she says.
Cancer Baddies retreats
Many folks affected by cancer have access to support groups and other services that help them navigate the seemingly endless lineup of blood tests, scans, and infusions. But once treatment is complete and the celebratory bells are rung, a number of cancer survivors suddenly find themselves adrift, unsure of where to turn for guidance and support. That’s the gap Cancer Baddies—a global community for anyone affected by cancer, including patients, survivors, and caregivers—aims to fill. “Once you cross that finish line and move into survivorship, it kind of feels like you’re pushed off a cliff,” says Amanda Butler, who created the group in 2023 while undergoing breast cancer treatment and looking to connect with others her age experiencing something similar. “It’s really easy to be sad and angry about cancer,” Butler says. But she wanted to encourage people to shift that mindset and instead consider, “How do we learn from what cancer is teaching us?”
Each year Butler hosts a six-day, five-night destination retreat for her fellow cancer baddies that combines healing, fun, and cultural immersion. The past two years have taken place at a private villa in the hills of Tuscany, but in the future Butler hopes to bring the retreat to other destinations as well. Mornings begin with a gentle workout followed by workshops on topics like breath work and meditation, while afternoons are busy with winery tours, cooking classes, horseback riding, and other cultural delights. Conversations about intimacy and body image are the norm, offering support in ways doctors may not. And no matter your cancer type, stage of survivorship, or sex (yes, men can participate too!), anyone affected by the disease is welcome to explore what life is like during and after treatment with others who are in a similar place in their journey.
“So much attention as you’re going through treatment is on becoming cancer-free. But survivorship is so much more than that,” Butler says. “It’s taking these lessons that cancer is here to teach you and guide you and to help shape you into a better version of you. That has always been my goal with Cancer Baddies: to support the people that come through the organization and help them live a better life.”