NEWCASTLE, Wyo. - With winter coming and lawn care coming to an end, I decided to look into joining the local Curves program, so I contacted Tringie Holt, the owner of Curves of Newcastle. She told me that Curves - nationally and internationally - and in conjunction with American Cancer Society, were about to embark on the fundraiser, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Curves of Newcastle has plenty of ways for everyone to get involved. New members who join between Oct. 8 and Oct. 20 will pay only $25 for the service fee when they bring in a minimum $25 donation to the American Cancer Society or show proof of a current mammogram. Current members who make a minimum $5 donation to the American Cancer Society will receive a donation certificate that will hang in the club and can be filled out to "in honor of" or "in memory of" a loved one who may have struggled with cancer. The $5 donation also allows the member to be eligible for weekly prize drawings.

Anyone can buy Curves "diane" fragrance products and help in the fight against breast cancer. Curves founders, Diane and Gary Heavin, will donate 10 percent of the wholesale sales of all diane products in October to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The fragrance collection includes eau de partum, Shea body butter and body wash and would make great holiday gifts or stocking stuffers.

Curves of Newcastle, as well as all Curves, has always been involved with women's health issues and is committed to helping women in our community in living healthier, stronger lives.

Breast cancer will touch about one in every eight women, but the death rates are falling. This decline is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and having access to improved treatment.

By encouraging women to have mammograms and rewarding them for doing so, Curves is helping to fight and even perhaps eliminate breast cancer in the near future.

Curves is the world's largest fitness clubs franchise, with 10,000 clubs worldwide. It is the only program where the fitness machines are designed exclusively for women.

At Curves, there are no mirrors or makeup, just women reaching their goals and having fun.

Weight is measured, but it is not the total focus of the program. Fitness levels and inches lost are emphasized.

Tringie told me of women who were able to eliminate their need for blood pressure medicine and whose cholesterol levels were lowered. Some women join the program not to lose weight but to build body mass and become fit.

In the past two years, 975 pounds have been lost, and 15,000 workouts have been completed in Curves of Newcastle. I am planning to join next week, right after I have my mammogram, which I have been putting off for several years.

Curves has inspired me, and I hope this article inspires other women to have a mammogram and to donate to Curves Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. Also, come join in the fun of becoming physically fit and "discover the power to amaze yourself."

If anyone has any news to be included in the column, please call 746-4818 or e-mail me at phartley_82701@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week.