Childhood cancer families get a break from day-to-day life at retreat

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Few families go through the heartbreak of having a child diagnosed with cancer.

“It was different than anything else we had gotten to do,” Cliff Atfield, a Lighthouse Family Retreat volunteer, said.

When it happens, some don’t know who to go to for support.

“This was unique in that it was healing for our family, so it wasn’t just a vacation, it was something that really helped our family heal itself from what we’d been through,” Cliff Atfield said.

Lighthouse Family Retreat was founded to give families a break from the hospital and doctor’s office and be with other families who know what they’re going through.

“We do week-long restorative beach retreats for these families, we do weekend retreats and we do one-day retreats to strengthen our families with an amazing week,” Adam Tomberlin, director of development for Lighthouse Family Retreat, said.

Tracy and Cliff Atfield went on a family retreat when their son was diagnosed with cancer, now they volunteer at Lighthouse.

“For us, it’s one of those things where your normal- similar to what people experienced with COVID- your normal just go away,” Tracy Atfield said.

The Atfields said one of the most important parts of the retreat is talking to other parents going through the same situation.

“When they hear other people, and especially other dads, talk about the things going on in their head and the things that they’re feeling, they’re like, ‘Wow, I’m not alone,’” Cliff said.

Parents also get time alone while volunteers take the kids for activities.

“As parents, we know that you need time together to process what you’re going through together, without your kids, you just need time away to focus on each other,” Tomberlin said.

Families say leaving their day-to-day setting behind for the Lighthouse experience is special.

“We were just in this broken spot, and Lighthouse, when we came here they loved our entire family, and to see our kids laughing and having fun with volunteers and other retreat families was just so amazing,” Tracy said.

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