Dinwiddie County Fair / Susan G Komen & Massey Cancer Center Booth

With Karen before we began...it was SO hot...wowza

Last night I got to work my first event with Susan G. Komen out in the community. I worked at a vendor information booth alongside my new friend Karen Gregory, who is the Community Health education Coordinator for the VCU Massey Cancer Center. She knew a LOT of information that i learned from her, not just about breast cancer but about cancer in general, and some of the ways that Massey and other organizations who partner with Susan G. Komen (ones like the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, who I also support) are reaching people who otherwise might not get to see a doctor in the more rural areas.

This fair was a good example of that, despite the lower attendance being a weeknight for the fair, we still spoke to 2 or 3 dozen different individuals about the programs available after inviting them to "spin the wheel for prizes" (Burt's Bees lipgloss ladies!). It was a great way to break the ice and I got the chance to speak to several caregivers as well as another fellow survivor and many younger ladies who didn't even know what some of the signs to watch for were. I really have to say that a low stress, fun approach like this definitely allows some people to feel comfortable enough to ask questions. And that's what it's really all about..

I know...it looks funny, right? But I was actually sharing my story of how I first discovered my tumor myself with a caregiver who has had quadruple bypass surgery himself! It reminded me that not only do we need to support our survivors and the recently diagnosed, but earnestly recognize & thank those who look after us, support us and care for us as well...often times while having to face their own medical challenges too!

Passionately Pink Part Deux....

If he's man enough to wear the crown to help fight cancer, aren't you? 

Tomorrow I will get to volunteer and work my very first event as an official Susan G. Komen Educator, something which means a LOT to me as I've been volunteering off and on for several years with the Race for the Cure and many other yearly events in Virginia and North Carolina as well.

I also help out with the annual "Fall Bra-Zaar", this will be our 3rd one and one of our biggest fundraisers is the Mr. Brazaar pageant. Believe it or not, my husband posed to be their inaugural "Miss-ter", in a crown and banner no less...but on a motorcycle. As you can tell, he's pretty manly so this really was as much support as any gal could hope for!

What's so special is this fundraiser honors Denys Musselman who passed away of Triple Negative breast cancer. Her life helps others in this wonderful event.
you can find it on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/415104278594187/                It will be held October 5th

Now that's devotion ladies! Doesn't he look awesome helping us out for a good cause? ;) 

Working with these events led me to be invited to join a training program & seminar for Susan G. Komen Educators. These women go out into the community at different events such as fairs, women's shows, galas, luncheons...you name it....and not only have the fun of awarding out prizes at table games but more importantly, help women find literature and connection to the programs that can help them most. Whether that's finding a low-cost screening option, getting a referral for financial assistance, or just learning more about what we do (and still don't) know about breast cancer, it's a wonderful opportunity to reach out to others like myself who might not have known who to ask or maybe didn't really think about being pro-active about their health and following up on their own breast care. 

Some of us were survivors, I would say about half, and the rest were from the medical community and a few were relatives of survivors. Every single one had a personal link however connecting them to the cause which made for not a dry eye in the room as we went around to learn about our new sisters in volunteer work. One lady who spoke was a 60+ year old survivor TWICE OVER...which gives even me hope should mine return that I too, could beat it as she did. There were several survivors younger than myself and I remember 12 years ago feeling it was only me that was that young and scared. But more and more women are having the courage to reach out and give support to others through that journey and that's nothing short of inspiring as we work towards a world where our daughters (and our sons, for they too can get it....did you know approximately 35-40 men a YEAR are diagnosed just in Virginia??) can wake up to a day where they won't have to have an annual walk for the cure because it's already THERE. 

Out and About!

Well in honor of my 42nd birthday today, I got an evening to actually sit down and post again~something I've been waiting to do for awhile now!

As Mrs. Central Virginia International, I've been invited to a lot of different events which have been SO much fun to volunteer at. It's hard to say which one has been the best but I would probably have to go with judging the WV Roadkill Festival Pageant!

I know, right? I had NO idea either this was a real competition but not only is this a very honored title in Marlinton, WV where this event is held, but the Roadkill Festival itself draws tens of THOUSANDS of attendees annually! I was very impressed with the amount of contestants we had, from Little Miss on up (I judged the pre-teen and older group, my daughter Alanna who is Miss Relay For Life judged both events since the pageant was split up into differing segments) to Miss Roadkill Festival herself, a beautiful and vivacious blond gal named Allie who stunned us from the get-go with her proficiency in interview and solid knowledge of her community and the festivals and history that go with it. One little girl even taught us a recipe with groundhog and ramps!

It was a fantastic event and we were treated like royalty and got the chance to see a part of the world we hadn't been to before but that I love all the more for having been able to experience 3 days with the people and the pageant itself. Director Shana Smith really did a terrific job with great prizes and making all the contestants a queen in their own right when they stepped on the stage on finals night.

Here on the left is Miss WV Roadkill Festival 2014 Allie Katarina Cole along with my daughter Alanna ;) Good luck Allie during your year!

Of course there have been a lot of other opportunities, not including my most recent one to become a Susan G. Komen Educator (that will be on an upcoming post!), that I was fortunate enough to be invited to as well as honored to be a part of. Here was one in Salisbury, Maryland where I served as a judge for the America's Brilliant Miss pageant as well as an earlier preliminary pageant that morning. Pictured with my daughter and I is Kimberly Sumner Williams, one of the new queens for ABM. One of the outgoing queens, Gigi Giganto (she is my Mini-Me #2 as I call her! I love this girl!) joined us for the photo which I thought came out fantastic given we all got the "memo" on what colors to wear!

With the ABM queens in Salisbury, MD! 

Here we are with one of the younger contestants,
she was the sweetest child and had the best smile all day!

One of the most terrific things about making appearances is getting to share "girl time", (even though these are WORKING events!) with my daughter Alanna. She too is a hard-working queen and has made a terrific year so far of holding her Miss Relay For Life title for Virginia. She rushed and was chosen for Alpha Xi Delta sorority, and as many of you might know, interview skills come in handy not just in pageants but in life as she found out during Rush Week. Yet because of her past experiences she was able to navigate the process with confidence. Not only that, she recently placed 4th runner up for the Miss DC Collegiate America title and Mom (aka her coach) couldn't be prouder!

Above you can see us taking a...you guessed it.... 'selfie' (LOL!) at the Curly Q pageants here in Richmond, VA where I served as the hostess and emcee and Mini-Me had fun doing what she does best, judging the little ones. One thing I love about her is that she's competed a lot herself so she understands as a judge just how important a kind word and constructive tip on how a contestant can do better is the best way to help a girl prepare to win the crown next time around. How amazing at only 18 she's already learned that? Think about that the next time someone thinks "Toddlers & Tiaras" represents anything at *all* about the REAL world of pageantry! A picture is worth a thousand words and I think the one below says it all about the friendships made in the journey to the crown :)

With Amy Berry, Ms Warren County and one of my DEAREST pageant sisters!