Curves Team Prepares to Hit the Track for QV Relay

Becky Joseph is eager to participate in her third year of the .

After losing her uncle to breast cancer last year, Joseph, who is team captain for , said the relay is all the more important.

“I’m doing it for him,” she said.

The eighth annual Quaker Valley Relay for Life is June 23-24 and gives locals like Joseph the opportunity to show their support for family and friends who are either battling cancer, or who have lost their battle.

From breast cancer to colon, lung and ovarian cancer, the number of people being diagnosed each year is staggering. 

Joshua Walker, American Cancer Society staff partner, said this year in Pennsylvania alone 78,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer, a share of the 1.6 million new cancer cases in the United States.

“It’s so prevalent,” he said.

And Team CBFF, which stands for "Curves Best Friends Forever," is coming out strong this year in the fight. The team of 10-15 ladies are gearing up for an in-club raffle that each year raises an average of $700 from Curves members for the QV Relay.

Whitney Gresham, owner of , said members donate baskets that contain regifted items that are then auctioned off. 

Made up of survivors and supporters, Curves' Team CBFF has raised thousands of dollars over the years.

"Last year we raised $3,200 and the year before it was about $2,200...We really have increased," Gresham said. 

Joseph said she has personally raised more than $500, beating out her own individual fundraising goal.

Fundraising is important, though Walker said the event is also about raising awareness. Money raised through the Relay For Life goes toward funding research to find a cure for cancer as well as programs that support those with cancer, such as transporting patients to and from treatments.

“It’s fulfilling and it’s something that needs to be done. Every dollar I raise is hopefully something that gets us closer to curing cancer,” Joseph said. 

Be sure to visit the CBFF team tent at the Relay. Keeping with the theme "Carnival for a Cure," the team plans to have cornhole, a ladder golf game and a duck pond as well as prizes.

Ways to Participate:

The eighth annual Quaker Valley Relay for Life offers everyone an opportunity to get involved.

• It’s not too late to form a team, but individuals can also participate. Cost is $10 per person to register. Each individual is encouraged to raise $100.

• Luminaries are available for a suggested donation of $10 each in honor or in memory of a loved one with cancer.

• Survivors young and old are invited to take an honorary victory lap around the track during the Survivor Ceremony. Survivors do not have to be a member of a team or pay a fee to participate in survivor activities. Registration is due by June 15. (See the atttached form.) 

• If you are unable to form a team, stop down on the day of the event to cheer on the other teams.

For more information visit www.QVRelay.org