Skydiving for a Cure by Audrey Rose for Susan G. Komen

Congratulations to Audrey Rose for putting together an amazing event to raise funds for Susan G. Komen and Breast Cancer. With this event, she raised $2500 where $50 of each jump was donated to SGK as well as the proceeds of the raffles and refreshments and food. It was such a beautiful day and to see people who are survivors jumping and those that support this cause made the day even more beautiful. Congratulations to Barbara on her jump and I loved hearing her enthusiasm after the jump, and also to my friend Maureen for introducing me to Audrey and Barbara and this event! Who knows, maybe someday I'll jump for a cure, now that would be something!

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition - Against the Tide

On Saturday, June 19, I attended the event held by the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition called Against the Tide. This event included a 1 mile competitive or recreational swim, a 2 mile kayak, a 3 mile walk, and a 5K FUN run. I had the opportunity to speak right before the recreational swim and to do the countdown for the swimmers to start. This was very special to me as I was a competitive swimmer in high school, and it definitely gave me the urge to jump in that water. It was amazing to see how many people turned up for this event.

What makes the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition special is that it is very unlike many of the breast cancer foundations we are familiar with, this organization focuses on prevention with our environment and our diet. I think that this is so important to educate people about prevention, because although we hope for a cure someday, we have to live in the present and work to prevent breast cancer now. Please visit their website to learn more on how you can learn to prevent and about this amazing organization at http://www.mbcc.org/.

I want to thank the many sponsors who were at this event with the wonderful food products to feed the participants and to educate about healthy eating. Whole Foods, Cabot Cheese, Eddy's, and Paino Organics to name a few. A very special thank you to Cheryl Osimo, Director of Special Events and Communications for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful event and teaching me about PREVENTION and helping me add it to my platform of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Importance of Early Detection. I'm so proud that there is an organization based in my state of Massachusetts that is working so hard to get the message about breast cancer prevention out to the public.

Merrimack Valley Mom Blog

Earlier this month, I on a whim decided to enter a contest that I went back and forth on about participating in. I thought to myself that entering the Merrimack Valley Mom Blog Contest would allow me to share my experiences as a wife, mother, career woman, and someone who gives to her community. The reason I chose to enter was because I feel that holding the title of Mrs. Massachusetts International 2010 has given me a voice to advocate about Breast Cancer Awareness and the Importance of Early Detection and sharing my mother's story of losing her battle to this disease. Little did I know that being chosen as Mrs. Massachusetts, I would have opportunities of a lifetime come my way. I have learned so much, have become part of organizations that I never knew existed, and have been able to share it all with my family. As I go along this journey, I learn to be a better mom and hope to one day have my daughter look up to me with all the positive things I have done and to follow in my footsteps. When I say that, it doesn't mean that she has to be involved in pageants, but I hope that she will be someone who gives back to the community and to those that are less fortunate. I hope that she finds a cause that is dear to her heart and is able to make a difference. Above all, I want to see her be a happy little girl, grow into a beautiful young woman, and eventually have all her dreams come true, whaterever she chooses to do in her life.

Social networking such as Facebook and blogs have allowed me to share with people all that I have done with the Mrs. Massachusetts title, and I realize that there will be so much information to give and to absorb communicating about issues that moms experience each day.

I can't wait to start, and will keep you posted on all the new developments and posts that I am part of with this new endeavour.

I want to thank the people who were tasked to choose the winners of this contest, and I want to congratulate all the ladies that entered. You should be proud that you were confident with who you are as a woman and mom to enter into this wonderful opportunity. You all have so much to offer based on what I have read with all your entries, and I hope that our paths cross and that we continue to inspire one another with our experiences and our stories. This is an opportunity for me to share, but to also learn from you, and I am so very greatful for having been chosen.

To see more details of this contest and the other winners, please visit: www.mvmoms.com/.

Fundraiser for Bella Tucker

On July 3, I am fundraising for Bella Tucker along with Miss Massachusetts Teen World, Tamara Sacharczyk, Miss Massachusetts Teen USA, Brooke Bibeault, Miss Pink, Trish Grzela, and Miss New Hampshire National Miss, Shauna Conwell, at our booth at the East Longmeadow Carnival to be held at Veterans' Memorial Field.

Bella is a beautiful 8 year old girl who on Easter Weekend was rushed to the hosptial with a strep infection. Little did she or her family know that their lives would be forever changed. Bella lost all four of her limbs as a result of this infection. She has been between Children's Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Center since Easter Weekend. As you can imagine, the medical expenses are rising each day for Bella's family. We are gathering at the carnival to raise awareness to Bella's story and help raise funds for her ongoing treatments. Bella is from Londonderry, NH, and her dad grew up in my hometown of Chelmsford, MA. My heart has been filled since first hearing about Bella's story, and being a mom, I cannot get her beautiful face out of my head. I am hoping to share and spread my passion for Bella with all of you in hopes of making this a successful fundraiser. If you are not able to attend the carnival, but would like to make a donation, please visit http://www.friendsofbella.org/.

The Rotary Club of Chelmsford

Today I had the opportunity to speak to the Rotary Club of Chelmsford. I introduced myself, spoke about my platform as Mrs. Massachusetts International, talked about the community service and involvement I have had, and my plans for the future. This appearance was very special as my husband was able to attend and hear me speak about our life and this year that we have shared together as a family. Once again, I was amazed at the support and thanks I received after speaking and how many people came and told me that they themselves were cancer survivors and appreciate what I am doing with my platform and the organizations I work with. I was also asked to become a part of this organization after I return from the Mrs. International Pageant, as they saw a perfect fit with my community involvement and the values of the Chelmsford Rotary Club. I am once again so honored, and I thank the Mrs. International Program for giving me this opportunity and helping me to become the person I am today because of the opportunities that have come my way by holding this prestigious title. Having this title has allowed me the chance to have a voice and make a difference.

Mrs. New Hampshire America 2010

Congratulations to Mrs. New Hampshire America 2010, Heather Merrill, who will be going to compete at Mrs. America in Tuscon, Arizona later this summer! I first met Heather earlier this year when she competed in the Mrs. New Hampshire United States Pageant and was first runner-up. I know she will have an amazing year and I know that our paths will cross at least a few times. Heather, make this year a chapter in your life that you will never forget. You will share many special times with your family, and you will be making your state incredibly proud of you in serving you community! Welcome to the sisterhood of titleholders and once again congratulations on your new title!

New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

The New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship had a booth at the Channel 7 Health and Fitness Expo, and I was asked to be a part of it on June 13. This organization focuses on helping cancer patients and their families and care givers to educate, advocate, and empower the patients after going through the fights of their lives. Cancer patients focus on their treatment plans after they are diagnosed as do their families, doctors, and care providers. It is after the treatments end that survivors need support as they move into the next phase of their lives. I saw just how important this is in the stories I heard yesterday and how thankful those that have fought the battle of cancer were to learn that there is an organization already in place to help them through this next chapter of their lives. There was a woman that I met that was a one year breast cancer survivor. I was so touched by her story and how hard she worked along with her family to get her to the point she is today. She shared with me that the Dana Farber Cancer Institute has asked her to be a speaker and I encourage her to do so as she is a role model to the women that face this battle. She was so excited to meet me and to talk to Karen from NECCS to learn that they had similarities in things going on with their bodies now that they are both survivors. There was another older woman that I met who had tears brought to her eyes when she learned what NECCS does for cancer patients. I told both women that they are the face of Survivorship, and although not always easy, they provide the hope, the strength, and the inspiration to those that are just entering the journey of becoming a cancer survivor. They represent the fact that you can survive cancer and live. NECCS is an amazing organization that is built from survivorship, and I am so proud and honored that they have asked me to be a part of their organization. I look forward to the opportunity and to see this organization grow and see the wonderful things they will do for the people that are survivors. To learn more about NECCS, please visit their website at www.neccs.org.