the keep a breast valley

A Wellness retreat in the California Desert

The Keep A Breast Valley (KAB Valley) is envisioned as a sanctuary for breast cancer survivors, those diagnosed with breast cancer, and their loved ones. Created by The Keep A Breast Foundation, a global nonprofit founded in 2000, the retreat reflects the organization’s mission: to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact through art, education, prevention, and action.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women. According to 2024 data from BreastCancer.org, about 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in U.S. women will be breast cancer. This life-altering diagnosis changes patients' lives, leaving lasting physical and emotional effects. Survivors often face ongoing surgeries, treatments, and symptoms long after their initial care. Many describe a profound shift in their identity, both visible and unseen.

The KAB Valley aims to provide holistic, integrative support in a peaceful desert retreat, helping survivors, patients, and their caregivers find healing, acceptance, and empowerment.

Goals for The KAB Valley Project

Empowerment: Create a safe and educational space where patients feel empowered in their healthcare decisions.
Holistic Support: Offer therapeutic services to help individuals cope with their diagnosis and beyond. Professional practitioners will provide cognitive therapy, somatic experience therapy, and expressive arts to help survivors regain control over their bodies and lives.
Emotional Healing: Foster connections within the mental health and wellness community to provide compassionate support as individuals come to terms with their diagnosis.

Through collaborations with local experts and the community, visitors will also experience the healing power of nature, using all their senses to connect with the land.

A Healing Space Space Set Among Nature

KAB Valley will be situated on 10 acres in Rimrock, California, a short distance from Joshua Tree National Park. The retreat draws inspiration from the serene desert landscape and honors the ancestral lands of the Serrano people. The site is designed to offer peace and healing for individuals affected by breast cancer.

Accommodations:

Up to 2–4 families can stay in private, comfortable accommodations, including two-bedroom and studio spaces. Each unit will feature shaded decks, kitchenettes, thoughtful amenities, and outdoor seating to promote rest and reflection.
There will be an intimate gathering space for workshops, wellness programs, and movement classes.

With a commitment to minimal environmental impact, the retreat will integrate sustainable design practices, using natural tones and native plants to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.

As we approach our 25th year of service to breast cancer survivors, Keep A Breast will offer a wide range of healing modalities, including wellness retreats, sound therapy, breathwork, therapeutic touch, and trauma recovery—all within a nurturing environment dedicated to the healing process.

TIMELINE & FAQ

Last updated October 2024

What is the Keep A Breast Valley?

KAB Valley is a proposed wellness retreat for breast cancer survivors, those diagnosed, and their families, to promote healing and empowerment. The vision was conceived in 2015 by The Keep A Breast Foundation.

What KAB Valley is NOT…

KAB Valley is not a convention center, conference venue, festival site, wedding venue, hospital, short-term rental, or for-profit business. It is not owned by an individual or group of individuals, does not seek investors, is not a restaurant or campground, and has no affiliation with any religious or political organizations. KAB Valley is a space dedicated solely to healing, education, and wellness.

TIMELINE

2015: Vision for KAB Valley was born.
2017: 10 acres of land in Rimrock donated by Jim Austin, a longtime property owner.
2019: KAB began working with potential architects to develop concepts for the project and initiated discussions with San Bernardino County.
2020: COVID-19 halted progress.
2023: Project revisited, with research underway.
2024: Studies on land feasibility in progress; updated meetings with San Bernardino County.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: What KAB Valley is NOT:

A: KAB Valley is not a convention center, conference venue, festival venue, wedding venue, hospital or clinic, short-term or long-term rental property, for-profit business, or owned by any individual or group. It is also not affiliated with any religious or political organizations. The Valley is focused solely on wellness, education, and healing for breast cancer survivors and their families.

Q: Where is KAB Valley located?

A: The proposed site is on 10 acres of land in Rimrock, California, donated by local property owner Jim Austin. The land is between Orange Trail and Tumbleweed Trail off Burns Canyon Road, near Joshua Tree National Park.

Q: What will happen at KAB Valley?

A: KAB Valley will offer educational programming, wellness workshops, and holistic therapies designed to empower breast cancer survivors and their families. Services will focus on emotional, therapeutic, and educational support, providing resources for individuals to take control of their health and healing.

Q: Will you host weddings, large events, or festivals?

A: No. KAB Valley is not a wedding or event venue. It is intended to be a peaceful, healing retreat. No festivals, campouts, or concerts will be held there.

Q: Why would San Bernardino County categorize the KAB Valley as a Convention/ Conference Facility with Lodging?

A: Currently, San Bernardino County lacks a category for small wellness retreats. As a result, KAB Valley is temporarily being placed in a catch-all category, which does not accurately reflect the nature of the retreat.

Q: Do you have designs or plans in place?

A: Not yet. We are still in the research phase and waiting for studies and surveys to determine what can be built on the land.

Q: Do you have an architect?

A: We are in the process of interviewing architects, many of whom have experience working in the high desert.

Q: Have you submitted for a Conditional Use Permit?

A: No, not yet. We are waiting on the completion of necessary studies and surveys before proceeding with permits.

Q: Why haven’t you finalized the plans, permits, or renderings?

A: The design and planning process depends on the outcomes of various studies and surveys, which will inform what is possible to build on the property.

Q: What studies have been completed so far?

A: Formal Lot Survey - Complete

Topographical Study- Complete

Formal Biological Study (Joshua Tree’s) 95% Complete

Geotechnical Report- 95% Complete

Percolation Report- Complete

Waterboard Study- Complete

Traffic Study- 10% Complete

Air Quality Study- 10% Complete

Cultural Resources Study- 10% Complete

Drainage Study- 0% Complete

Q: What types of environmental protections will be in place, such as those for Joshua Trees and turtles?

A: We are following rigorous procedures and conducting environmental studies to ensure minimal impact on wildlife, including Joshua Trees and desert tortoises. These studies will guide our planning and construction process.

Q: Will visitors be charged for services?

A: Ideally, we hope to provide grants or subsidies for visitors. We are also exploring the possibility of seeking health insurance reimbursements for wellness treatments offered at KAB Valley.

Q: How many visitors will KAB Valley accommodate at one time?

A: The exact number depends on the results of the ongoing studies, but our vision is to host 2–4 families at a time.

Q: How long will guests stay at the retreat?

A: Our retreats are expected to last between 2–7 days, depending on the programming offered.

Q: Will Shaney jo (the founder) live on or near the property?

A: It’s too early to say, but we plan to have someone living on-site full-time as a property manager once the retreat is operational..

Q: Is there a timeline for this project?

A: We aim to complete our research studies by the end of 2024. Based on the findings, we will determine the next steps and an estimated timeline for construction and opening.

Q: Will the retreat be open to local residents?

A: Yes, local residents will be welcome to participate in educational workshops and wellness programming offered at KAB Valley.

Q: Do you have support from San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe?

A: We have shared our plans with Supervisor Rowe and her staff. However, since the project is still in its early conceptual phase, no formal position has been taken yet.

Q: What will happen to the land if KAB Valley or the nonprofit is unable to continue operating?

A: As we approach our 25th year as a global nonprofit, we have continuity plans in place to ensure the future of KAB Valley. We are working with nonprofit attorneys to develop protections to keep the land and retreat as intended.

Q: As a residentially zoned property, what else could legally be developed there?

A: The land could be divided into five parcels, each allowing up to three residential structures and swimming pools. These could legally be used as short-term rentals or unsupervised campsites. However, this is not our plan or intention for the property.

Q: Who can I contact for more information?

A: For further questions, please reach out to our founder, Shaney jo, at Shaneyjo@keep-a-breast.org

Q: Where is Keep A Breast Foundation’s headquarters located?

A: Our headquarters is in downtown Yucca Valley at 7168 Mohawk Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.