Sail Away from Cancer

Established and pioneered by Sail To Prevail - pediatric cancer patients sail with their resident doctors and family members to create a unique “out of hospital” experience.

This specialized program

has demonstrated positive outcomes for the children, their parents, and the doctors. The unique team dynamic means that everyone wins!

Parents Win

The parents win when they are placed into a situation where they can spend time with others in their same situation. Many of these parents are a one-parent family, so they are often unable to “share the load.” This way, parents and guardians develop a sense of togetherness and support that often carries beyond their day of sailing.

Children Win

Children win when they get to enjoy the camaraderie and independence of sailing on Narragansett Bay, together, outside of their normal routine. It has been noted that exercise improves physical and mental wellbeing for cancer patients. “Few other leads have shown as much promise as physical activity in extending the lives of cancer survivors,” said a 2012 editorial in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Resident Doctors Win

The Resident Doctors win when they get to interact with the children and their parents/guardians in a way that proves to be equalizing. Due to working as a “teammate” on a sailboat with their patients, the doctors will have an extraordinary opportunity to develop personal insight into the lives of all the children that they are treating.

Do the Math

When you do the math, how many doctors, patients and parents will be affected by this formula? The average doctor might see 15,000 children in a 30 year career. There are 63 Residents at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, of which we strive to get many of them to participate. This “training” goes a very long way – it exemplifies “the ripple effect.”

The combination of these three “teammates” has extraordinary results on an individual basis. This result is amplified when brought together as a group to achieve a fun and challenging goal!

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Thank you to all involved in making the weekend such a wonderful weekend.

Elinor (wife of John, Army Veteran)
Wonder weekend!!! Maria and I would like to thank all of you guys at Sail to Prevail for such an absolutely SPLENDID TIME sailing. Please send our kudos to the entire crew!!!

Raymond (Air Force Veteran)
Patty, Thank you and Sail To Prevail for this weekend. It is amazing how generous you all are - some we saw and some who were behind the scenes. I was thinking about your dock which gives us a window onto a world which we would otherwise never see, and of your willingness to get Bob and all the others out in the boats and onto the water for a good sail. And thank God for the absolutely perfect weather both Saturday and Sunday. Thank you all, also, for the lovely dinner Saturday night. I was sitting at the end of the old people and next to the young people, and it was fun to observe the difference in conversations. It took me back to a very long time ago, and the excitement and promise of shining youth. It was very nice to meet you and talk with you, and also Chad on Sunday. Thank you and thank God for His goodness,

Lynn and Bob (Air Force Veteran)
I would really like to compliment you and the staff for the extraordinary sailing program you did this summer to benefit Veterans. The weather perfect, the setting in Newport the best, the equipment well prepared, and the staff on deck. A day to remember. The staff was particularly good and professional in dealing with the veterans and their particular disabilities. The total experience was enjoyable and refreshing. What could be better? These programs enhance the quality of life for each individual and provide experiences that will never be forgotten. Thanks to you the staff at Sail to Prevail: this work does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated. Keep up the good work.

Richard Early President and Service Officer, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 116