Avon Breast Cancer Walk Boston 2010 Expo

On Saturday, February 27, I traveled to the Reebok Headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts with my high school friend Maureen who has participated in the Avon Walk in various cities over the last several years, to attend the 2010 Expo. I was asked to speak to the attendees about my personal story of losing my mother to breast cancer in 2007 and how participating in the walk in 2008 made a difference for me and what they can do and the difference their participation makes. It always amazes me when people come to me after I speak and thank me for sharing my story. For me, the message is all about the importance of early detection, and how participating in an event like this raises funds for breast cancer research to hopefully one day put an end to it all so another woman and family won't have to fight the battle of breast cancer.

Go Red for Women Luncheon and Fashion Show

Friday, February 26 started off being in the dark with the storm that hit the Chelmsford area hard and knocked out our power. Thank goodness I was going to a fashion show where my hair and makeup were going to be done.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon and Fashion show was put on by the Massachusetts chapter of the American Heart Association. This cause is dear to me as it is the platform of the Mrs. International Pageant, and I have learned so much about Heart Disease, and also being affected by it personally when my father was diagnosed with high blood pressure.

There were many local celebrities from tv and radio as well as several of the Go Red Ladies from the 2009 Campaign. It was wonderful to meet these ladies especially and to hear their individual stories of how and why they became invovled in this important cause. There was a 12 year old who had undergone open heart surgery, a woman who was a survivor of several cancers as well as heart disease running in her family, to a woman who was there because her father-in-law suffered from heart disease.

Fashions were provided by the incredible designer Sara Campbell who has boutiques located in Boston and Wellesley.

I look forward to working on more projects with this organization, and am in the process of trying to organize a team at work to walk in the 2010 Heart Walk later this year! Till then, Go Red!

Lowe's Grand Opening in Lowell

On Thursday, February 25, I attended the Grand Opening of the new Lowe's in Lowell, Massachusetts. Not only will this Lowe's stimulate the local economy for contruction projects, but it also added many new jobs in the Lowell and surrounding area. The store also provided a $1000 Grant to the Charlotte M. Murkland School for their library which is a huge help during these trying times of budget cuts.

I had the opportunity to be there representing Habitat for Humanity and the wonderful way that Lowe's was helping the Great Lowell Branch. For every gift card purchased on this day, Lowe's was matching 100%, up to $5000 in a donation to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell!

Next on the calendar for my work with Habitat for Humanity, attending the Gala on March 20 and then volunteering during the Women's Only Build Project in Bedford, MA the week of May 1 - 9. Stay tuned for an update from the wonderful Gala event!

Polar Plunge for the LGH TeamWalk for CancerCare

I had such an amazing weekend of appearances!

It all started on Friday evening when I attended the Beantown Beauty Gala where all proceeds from the evening, including a silent auction of Boston related memorabelia, were donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness! Ashley Bickford, Miss Connecticut USA 2010 also attendended.

On Saturday I was part of a Polar Plunge where all proceeds went toward the Lowell General Hospital's TeamWalk for CancerCare which I am the Honorary Chair for 2010. I want to thank all my supporters who helped me raise $300 which was part of a a total of $4000 raised with this event! It was such a beautiful day where an old friend from high school and I actually went in for a second time as it was for a great cause!

Sunday was back to a little bit of glamour by taking part in a bridal fashion show for New Hamsphire Wedding Magazine at the CR Sparks Event and Conference Center in Bedford, New Hampshire. The other models included Irene Raisis Alton, Miss New Hampshire United States 2009, Wendy Mello-Jack, Mrs. Massachusetts United States 2009, and my niece Alexandria who was a first time model and future contestant in the Miss New Hampshire Outstanding Teen Pageant for 2011! Thank you to David's Bridal for providing the beautiful bridal fashions we wore, and to Kristina Hathaway for putting together an amazing event!

After this wonderful weekend, I am looking forward to this week which starts on Thursday with wonderful appearances. Thursday I will be at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Lowes that is opening in Lowell, Massachusetts, where a portion of the proceeds of all gift cards sold throughout the day will go toward the Habitat for Humanity Women Build Only Project. I'm so excited about this as I have been asked to be on the board for this project which Congresswoman Niki Tsongas is the Honorary Chair. On Friday I will take part in Boston's Go Red for Women Luncheon and be a model in the fashion show with other local celebrties. It will be an honor to participate in this event as the Go Red for Women program with the American Heart Association is the platform of choice for the Mrs. International Pageant. Saturday will bring me to the Avon Breast Cancer Walk for Boston Expo at the Reebok Headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts where I have been asked to speak about my participation in this event as a walker, the reason why we walk, and to share my mother's story about her breast cancer battle and why early detection is so important.

I will be sharing details with you next week after all these wonderful events that I feel so blessed to be part of! Till then, enjoy life, and give a little bit of yourself to a good cause, it will make a difference for those in need, but also for you!

Polar Plunge for the LGH TeamWalk for CancerCare

I am so excited for this weekend to come and to take part in the Polar Plunge to benefit LGH's TeamWalk for CancerCare! Call me nuts for doing it, but it is for a great cause, and something to check off on my list of To Do Items in my life. To date I have raised $275 for this event! Be sure to check out the pictures after the event, and do keep warm thoughts for the weather to be on my side!

Kick-Off for Relay for Life of Burlington

I was very honored to be asked by Tiffany Freeman, Cheryl Shafman and Janna Loureiro to be a Caregiver Speaker at the Kick-Off for the Relay for Life of Burlington on February 9. The event was incredible with the enthusiasm of the Committee for 2010, the amount of people already planning to participate including so many young people, two very moving Survivors telling their stories, and a beautiful Luminaria ceremony to honor Survivors and those whose memory we hold deep in our hearts. I was so excited when it was announced that I would be joining the Committee as the Chair for Mission and Advocacy. I look forward not only sharing my mother's story, but also the wonderful work that The American Cancer Society does for people afflicted with cancer and their families. For more information about this Relay for Life, please visit their website at: http://www.RelayForLife.org/BurlingtonMA.