About
Respite Retreats is compassionate, understanding, and committed to those affected by cancer—all growing from deeply personal experiences.
To provide respite programs to cancer patients, their caregivers, and family members.
Our Mission
We will not rest until all people affected by cancer are able to access the benefits of respite from the disease.
Our Vision
We believe that if you are or have been affected by cancer—whether as a patient, caregiver, or family member—you deserve respite.
We believe that you derive real benefit, physical and emotional, when you are able to forget about the disease even for a few moments.
You benefit from connecting—instead of with tubes, wires, and needles—with other people.
You benefit from feeling—instead of perpetual anxiety and fear—a sense of joy.
You benefit from being—instead of a cancer patient or caregiver—you again.
That’s why we create experiences for people with cancer, their caregivers, and their families that allow them to relax and renew.
We create respite.
We create welcoming environments.
We comfort bodies and soothe minds.
We converse, and play, and feed, and laugh with you.
And we do this with whole hearts, because cancer takes enough. We expect nothing in return.
We know the reality of cancer because we have lived it. Respite is not a cure.
But it can be a haven. If that is what you need, or can provide, please join us.
You are always welcome at Respite Retreats.
And we’d love to host you.
Our Philosophy
Why Respite Retreats?
For Wendy Letow, founding Respite Retreats was deeply personal, stemming from her experiences as both a cancer survivor and caregiver. After facing her own battle with cervical cancer and later caring for her mother through her final days, Wendy understood the emotional and physical toll cancer imposes on patients and their loved ones. Through these experiences, she recognized the need for respite—a chance for both patients and caregivers to step back from the demands of illness and reconnect with themselves and each other on a personal level - the one before hearing the words, "You have cancer".
This journey was shared closely with her husband, Larry, who served as her caregiver. For both Wendy and Larry, the intensity of caregiving brought into focus the importance of finding ways to maintain their relationship beyond the patient-caregiver dynamic that cancer so often enforces. Wendy saw how essential it is for families affected by cancer to have spaces where they can rediscover each other, renew their bond, and experience moments of joy together.
Through Respite Retreats, Wendy created programs that provide these much-needed breaks, allowing patients, caregivers, and families to pause, recharge, and reconnect. With activities like yoga, meditation, and creative expressions, Respite Retreats offers an environment where participants can find renewal and return to their journey with fresh perspective. Wendy’s vision is grounded in compassion and a commitment to ensuring that everyone touched by cancer has the opportunity for peace, reconnection, and support on their journey.
Our Team
Our staff and board members bring tireless energy, invaluable experience, and relentless commitment to our mission of providing respite to patients, caregivers, and families.
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Wendy Letow
Founder & Executive Director
wletow@respiteretreats.org -
Nancy Fitzpatrick
Program Coordinator
nfitzpatrick@respiteretreats.org -
Katie Renehan
Program Coordinator: Abby’s Carts of Courage
krenehan@respiteretreats.org -
Abby Renehan
Abby’s Carts of Courage Program Inspirer
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Erica Sullivan
Program Director esullivan@respiteretreats.org
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Alyson Hagerty
Events Director ahagerty@respiteretreats.org
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Larry Letow
Chairman - Board of Directors
CyberCX, CEO - US Region -
Paul Skalny
Board of Directors
Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny Business Attorney -
George Gillis
Treasurer - Board of Directors
JTEK Data Solutions, CFO -
Robin Thomas
Secretary - Board of Directors
J.P. Morgan Private Bank Executive Director -
Jason Peay
Board Member
VersaTech, CEO -
Linda Ostovitz
Board Member
Offit Kurman, Principal -
Charles McCabe
Board Member McCabe Insurance Associates, CEO
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Tom Singleton
Board Member Driven Private Transportation
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Craig Gawjewski
Board Member Bank of Clarke SVP Commercial Loan Officer
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Casey Philips
Board Member Wilhelm Builders Owner, President & CEO
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few common questions. Click the down arrow beside each question for the answer. Have a different question? Email us at contact@respiteretreats.org.
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You are eligible if:
You are currently a patient who has cancer, or you are within 6 months of being cancer-free.
You are the caregiver or family member of someone battling any type of cancer.
You are able to obtain written proof of cancer from a treating facility.
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Retreats are offered at no cost and include all programs and meals. This is made possible through fundraising efforts, grants, and the support of our amazing community.
Travel to and from the retreat is the participant’s responsibility.
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We offer two programs specifically targeted to pediatric cancer patients and their families: Abby’s Carts of Courage and Jess Beard’s Ears Over Fears.
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We offer a variety of one-day in-person wellness retreats. Our one-day retreats are held for adults with cancer, their caregivers, or family members. In addition, we offer retreats for men, caregivers, and metastatic patients. Retreats are tailored to meet the needs of participants and offer individual and group activities focused on healing the mind, body, and spirit. Activities may include meditation, journaling, gentle chair yoga or Pilates, art, bingo, and a full range of other holistic and uplifting activities.
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No. However, we encourage you to be open to experiencing new things in our safe, nurturing environment. We have a lovely rest area for those who may need a break or do not wish to participate in a portion of the retreat.
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Selections are made as applications come in.
Retreat acceptance notifications are emailed one month before the retreat.
All notifications are communicated through the email address provided in the application.
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