Please Support The Lung Cancer Partnership

As many of you know my father was diagnosed with lung cancer this summer. His battle is ongoing, and has been incredibly difficult. Lung cancer is an insidious disease that takes the lives of tens of thousands each year. I ask that you take a moment and learn more about the Lung Cancer Partnership, and donate in honor of someone you love. I have!

The staff at the National Lung Cancer Partnership would like to wish you peace and happiness in the New Year and thank you for your continued support.


Honor your loved ones this season!

Invest in the National Lung Cancer Partnership by making a donation in the name of someone you care about.

Your gift will allow us to continue to focus on our mission of helping lung cancer patients live longer and better lives.

Holiday Fun!

This time of year is wonderful, and allows us all to enjoy family and friends like no other time of the year. I was so honored to be Mrs. Arkansas International 2005, and had a wonderful year with my director, Bernee Thurow. Bernee has been a great friend and support to me since, and was so encouraging to me in my decision to try one last time for my dream job of Mrs. International. I wanted to do something special for her, and her contestants. This sunday I hosted a Christmas Tea for Bernee, and all her 2009 contestants. We had a fabulous turn out of about 25 lovely ladies, and enjoyed holiday goodies and great fellowship.

Later, we participated in AETN's "Arkansas International Night". We took pledge phone calls from donors who wished to support the great work that AETN/PBS does in our state and around the nation.

It was a great start to a lovely Christmas season!

The most wonderful time of the year!

It has finally hit; the time of year when I knew I would be so busy that simply writing a blog update would take days to accomplish. However, I’m setting aside at least a few minutes to try to update all of you on the adventure that this year is and will continue to be for me!
First let me update you on dads’ condition. I cannot thank you all enough for the continued calls and emails inquiring after not only his status, but mine as well. To say this has been a long journey would be an almost painful understatement. We know we have a long way yet to travel, but at least we’ve reached a very important milestone. Dad has finally finished his chemo! We are so grateful that our weekly trips to the hospital are at an end. What we didn’t anticipate was just how difficult this particular time in this process would be. The compounding of the drugs in dads system over these many months has not ended simply because we no longer make a trip to the hospital. The drugs are still hard at work, and therefore, hard on him. He is still extremely weak, tired, nauseated and immune-suppressed. The week after his last treatment we were back in the hospital, but this time for a few more units of whole blood. But we know that his recovery is in site. We trust God’s goodness and have faith in his ability to continue to give us all strength to get dad through these next few months. I know that by the time I am giving up my Mrs. International crown this will all be a memory. Pray for us as we await his first post-treatment PET scan, which comes in two more months.
I have been extremely busy with the AHA. I have been elected as the state chairman of the Advocacy committee. We had our meeting with the national lobbyist director, Terri Broussard, and it went wonderfully. Terri and I are of an age, and share the same enthusiasm for the AHA and its mission. I think we will really enjoy working together. I spent the day in Little Rock with Terri filming segments for the new You’re the Cure blogspot. I am not a camerawoman, by any stretch, but it was fun to get to be behind and in front of the camera for the event.
Last week I took part in a press conference asking our legislators to support a rather large increase in the tobacco tax in our state. The AHA advocacy committee is part of the Step Up Coalition, which includes other well known groups like the cancer society, the department of health, and many more. The Coalition is going to fight hard to see this tax increased during this legislative session. Our desired increase could funnel as much as $139 million dollars into the state budget, and fund programs like the AED act, and the statewide trauma system. I also met with Jody Woodson, state legal counsel for the state of Arkansas, and sought his support on these issues.
Last Thursday mom and I went to a photo shoot for the cover of Arkansas Life magazine. Our story of surviving heart disease will be featured there in next month’s edition. I’ll provide a link as soon as the magazine comes out of print. Then Thursday I was up at the crack of dawn for the morning news show. I was on air with a representative of Zoll defibrillators, demonstrating how the devices work and asking people to contact their legislator’s in support of funding the act.
In a few weeks I’ll be heading to New York City for a huge Go Red event, then off to DC for National Lobby Day. Interspersed are innumerable activities, on which I’ll keep you posted! We are off and running in the new Go Red season!

AHA, Election Day and a Grand Ball!

This has been another whirl-wind few weeks. I’m finding it harder and harder to keep up with my blog, but I’m determined to do my best!
I have had several really lovely opportunities over the last weeks. The first was to present Go Red and You’re the Cure at the 501 Life Holidays event the first weekend in November. The event was the first of its kind and drew attendees from all over the state. Attendees were treated to demonstrations on cooking, flower arranging, and of course a lecture by none other than Mrs. International on living a heart healthy lifestyle! Initially we thought that attendance was just under 350, but after reviewing ticket sales we discovered it was actually over 400. What an amazing success for an inaugural event! I was so honored to be asked to be part of it.
November the 4th was an historic day. Alice Paul, one of the truest suffragettes, is a personal hero of mine. It is very much in her honor that I vote at each and every election, whether it be for city council, or the highest office in the land. The year I wanted to do something special to mark this amazing and historic Election Day. One cannot forget that none of us would have the right to cast our ballot were it not for the devoted men and women of our armed forces. So, I spent my Election Day packing and a shipping care packages to our brave men and women fighting overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kevin and I had the distinct privilege of being asked to attend the Opus Ball. Proceeds from Opus Ball support the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra music education programs and performances, which include the ASO Arts Partners, the Youth Orchestra, the Academy Orchestra and the Preparatory Orchestra. This event is an opportunity to sustain a vital part of the ASO’s future. Last year’s Opus Ball revenue was more than $630,000, which shows an extraordinary commitment to the ASO and its music education programs. I was asked to model a live auction item; a diamond necklace and earring suite donated worth $19,500. It was such a pleasure to be involved in this amazing event!
My father received his last chemotherapy[y treatment last week, and will get his port removed next week, God willing. The coming weeks will probably be his worst, per his doctors warnings. Apparently as the drugs compound in your system your symptoms worsen for a time before full recovery can begin. He is truly at his lowest, and is feeling miserable. I hope you will all keep him in your prayers!
I have a meeting coming up on November the 25th with the national lobbyist leader for the AHA, Terri Bloussard. Terri led the lobbyist training in Austin, but this will be her first trip to my home state. I am very anxious and excited about hosting her here. I’ll keep you posted!

Grief, glory to God, and giving back in October

October has been a month of extreme up’s and down’s, both for the entire state of Arkansas and myself. I want to begin by sending my very thoughts and prayers out to the family of the beautiful and talented Anne Pressley. Anne was the amazingly gifted anchorwoman of Good Morning Arkansas, who was brutally attacked in her home and who lost the battle for her life last week. I cannot claim to have known Anne, or to have been a friend to her. I can tell you that I had the wonderful opportunity to meet her, and to have spent time with her just the week before this horrific event. I first net her at the Children’s Tumor Foundation event where Anne and I modeled together. We both had our make-up done by the “professionals” from a local beauty school…and laughed together in horror at their work when we saw ourselves the mirror. That night I got to know a bit of Anne’s powerful personality, one which dominated the entire room with its’ brilliance. The following week I got to see Anne again at the CARE for animal’s event, where Anne emceed the fashion show in which I modeled. Anne remembered my name, and we laughed about how much better each of us looked that evening when allowed to be in charge of our own appearances. I was in awe of her incredible confidence, something I often fake but could never truly have in the way Anne did. There really was something amazingly unique about Anne, and it was something that anyone who knew her for even a moment of her too brief life would have been well aware of. I cannot believe she was taken so early, and in such a horrific fashion. I pray, along with everyone who hears her story, that her killer will be caught and brought to justice. I pray for peace for her family as they grieve her loss.

October has been an incredibly busy month for me. We started our series of committee meetings with the Arkansas Advocacy Committee. I also had the opportunity to attend both state and national lobbyist training in Austin Texas, for the American Heart Association. It is my hope that as a result of my involvement as a lobbyist with the AHA this year that all future Mrs. International national titleholders will have the opportunity to serve as lobbyists.

On October the 13th I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 2nd annual Paws on the Runway event at the Governors Mansion. CARE is the Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals. This wonderful organization removes adoptable pets from kill shelters, spays or neuters them, and has them in foster homes until loving adoptable homes can be found for them.

On the 23rd I traveled to Dallas, Texas to attend the Dallas Furniture Banks’ CHAIR-ity Friend-raiser. The furniture bank provides furniture for families who have lost everything to natural disaster or economic hardship. This year alone the DFB has impacted the lives of more then 5200 individuals.

I am thrilled to report that we had our first adoption occur as a result of the Greater Arkansas Heart Gallery! We launched the gallery only a month ago, and already one of these beautiful children has found a forever family! What an amazing blessing!


On a personal note, my father has only two chemo treatments left. We had a very hard spot a few weeks ago when his counts dropped to such a low that blood transfusions were required. We then had quite a scare with a blood clot in his lung, but he is doing wonderfully right now. He has lost some use of his hands, but all things considered he is doing very well.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Laine

Let me hear from you!

You've watched the Presidential debate and heard from each of the candidates how they'll reform the American healthcare system. Now, I want to hear from you. Visit the You're the Cure blog, and leave a comment telling me your thoughts on reinventing healthcare in our country. Comment here. Do you think the candidates demonstrated that healthcare reform is a priority for them? Are there any questions you wish they had addressed? How have your own experiences with the healthcare system shaped your position on healthcare reform? I'd love to hear how your watch parties went and know what issues were raised during your discussions. Visit our blog and share your thoughts! We all have to get involved to solve the current healthcare crisis. You are taking action just by joining the conversation. It's a simple first step in addressing a big challenge. Together, we can help reinvent healthcare in a way that serves the best interests of patients affected by heart disease and stoke.

Reinventing Healthcare

Have you felt the effects of rising healthcare costs? Too many patients suffering from heart disease or stroke have, and they simply cannot afford the medical care they need. It truly is a heart-breaking situation. That is why, against the backdrop of the 2008 Presidential campaign, the American Heart Association is engaging in the healthcare reform debate. We're working to achieve meaningful reform that will serve the best interests of patients. Our goal is affordable, accessible, quality healthcare for all Americans. Will you join us in reinventing healthcare? If you haven't already, pledge your support today. The American Heart Association recently convened a panel of experts to discuss health policy reform by examining real life situations. You can watch some highlights from the discussion at the University of Mississippi, where panelists discussed how to best provide quality and affordable care to all Americans. Click here to view highlightsWith that conversation in mind, invite your friends over and tune into the final Presidential Debate this Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 9 pm Eastern. This debate will focus on domestic issues, and we expect to hear about the candidates' plans for healthcare reform. Click here and you can find discussion questions, games, sample recipes and more resources for your watch party. Stay tuned for opportunities to share your thoughts with us after the debate! On behalf of heart disease and stroke patients struggling with the current healthcare system, thanks for joining us.

Red Carpet for Research

As all of you know my passion has always been and will always be heart disease education. However, since being honored with the Mrs. International title I have been given the opportunity to branch out in my volunteer activities, and use my time to support several extremely worthy and amazing causes. This past Thursday was just such an occasion. I had the opportunity to have lunch last week with John Prentiss, whose seven year old son is affected with Neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis is more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, MS, and many other conditions that we hear about regularly. Sadly, NF gets little public or media attention, and therefore, little funding for research and awareness. John’s precious son has two tumors in his small body; one on his spinal column and one in his brain stem. All may remain well for years, but John and his family live with the knowledge that everyday their worlds could change.
The neurofibromatoses are genetic disorders of the nervous system that primarily affect the development and growth of neural cell tissues. These disorders cause tumors to grow on nerves and produce other abnormalities such as skin changes and bone deformities. Although many affected persons inherit the disorder, between 30 and 50 percent of new cases arise spontaneously through mutation in an individual's genes. Once this change has taken place, the mutant gene can be passed on to succeeding generations. Scientists have classified the disorders as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). NF1 is the more common type of the neurofibromatosis. In diagnosing NF1, a physician looks for changes in skin appearance, tumors, or bone abnormalities, and/or a parent, sibling, or child with NF1. Symptoms of NF1, particularly those on the skin, are often evident at birth or during infancy and almost always by the time a child is about 10 years old. NF2 is less common. NF2 is characterized by bilateral (occurring on both sides of the body) tumors on the eighth cranial nerve. The tumors cause pressure damage to neighboring nerves. To determine whether an individual has NF2, a physician looks for bilateral eighth nerve tumors and similar signs and symptoms in a parent, sibling, or child. Affected individuals may notice hearing loss as early as the teen years. Other early symptoms may include tinnitus and poor balance. Headache, facial pain, or facial numbness, caused by pressure from the tumors, may also occur.
I was incredibly honored when John asked me to bring my title, and the awareness that it garners, to the first “Red Carpet for Research” benefiting Neurofibromatosis. I was thrilled to model in the fashion show presented that evening, then have the opportunity to speak on the benefits we all share from donating to incredible organizations like the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and the NF foundation. Thank you John for allowing me to be part of your amazing event.

Updates and Appearances

Life is a whirlwind, but wonderful to be sure! We are getting back into the “season” with the AHA. We have our first lobbyist meeting on the 22nd of this month, and will follow up with another on November the 25th. I have been going through special training for the multi-state lobbyist program in Texas, and will fly back out Monday for a course on national lobbyist training. I am really hoping that these courses will increase my effectiveness with getting some of our 2009 initiatives passed. My main goal, as I have shared, is to see that tobacco tax increased. With that added money in our state pocketbook we will be able to fund the other initiatives that are so important in the state, and will set important precedent for the nation.
It has been an incredibly busy few weeks, and will continue at the same pace for a few more. Last week I was so honored to attend the Festival of Wines in Little Rock, and be allowed to volunteer my time there. The Festival brings together wine connoisseurs from all over the United States, and all the monies raised at the event go toward research projects for the American Heart Association. I am proud to say that the monies raised at this event stay at research hospitals in my home state of Arkansas, but the discoveries made with this money will benefit people across the country and around the globe.
I also had the honor of attending the launch of the Greater Arkansas Heart Gallery, at the Arkansas CASA Festival of Chairs. This Festival raises money and awareness of the work that CASA does on behalf of families who have entered child protective services. It was a wonderful event, attended by a huge number of citizens who are deeply immersed in this incredible cause. The Heart Gallery was displayed for the first time, and the response was overwhelming. If even one child finds a “forever family” through this program then all the hard work involved will have been worth it.
Thursday morning was a really fun event. I was asked to model for Jamileh Kamran, an internationally known designer whose home base is Little Rock. I was featured wearing her clothes in a fashion show on KARK channel four. It was a fun morning for all involved, and a great honor to be included.
Please continue your prayers for my father. The excellent news is that, due to his new drug regime we only have 5 rounds of chemo left. Bad news is that his hemoglobin is so low that he must have a blood transfusion tomorrow. Thank you so much for your continued love and support.
I have more appearances this week, and will be sure to remember my camera this week as I travel to Lobby School. Check back soon for more updates!

Events, Action and TRAINING!

September has flown by, and I am excited to share with you that October and November look to be really exciting months. September was filled with wonderful appearances, and some fabulous opportunities to share the International pageant and the Go Red program with people across the state of Arkansas. I ended the month with some really fun events. On Friday the 26Th I was interview for the television show "Living Local", hosted by Heather Kendrick. we were able to sit in my living room, and just have a really nice "girl chat"...that just happened to be filmed! Heather and I discussed the International pageant, my personal pageant journey, and of course my work with the American Heart Association! The show will air at the end of October. Then, on the final day of the month I was interviewed by Women's Inc. Women's Inc. is a statewide periodical that focuses on issues of import to women in all stages of life. I am very honored that they have chosen to feature me in their November issue, which is all about individuals who give back to their communities. Mother and I were featured as "cover girls" for Women's Inc in 2005, and our story of commitment to educating women to the dangers they face from heart disease was the topic. I am thrilled and so honored to be back in their pages, this time as Mrs. International 2008. This interview focuses once again on my work with the AHA, but also the Mrs. International system and what sets it apart from all other systems.
October starts out with a bang! Thursday evening is the AHA's Festival of Wines, which raises $200,000 annually for heart disease research and education programs in Arkansas. I'll be there making an official appearance, and working behind the scenes. Friday night I have the annual CASA "Festival of Chairs", and the launch of the Greater Arkansas Heart Gallery. We are so excited to finally be launching the Heart Gallery, after months of planning and preparation. Then, it's off to Austin Texas for me for the AHA's multi-state lobbyist training. This training actually prepares and qualifies me to lobby in several states. I'm thrilled to be branching out with my legislative duties. We then have our first full committee meeting of the Legislative Advocacy committee on the 22ND, and will have the AHA vice-president of Legislative Advocacy, Terri Bloussard, with us. That is both exciting and stressful for me as the chairman of the committee.
These next few months are going to be full and fun! I'll do my best to keep you posted. Thanks to all of you for the continued emails of support and encouragement.

Statewide Trauma system needs your help!

Heart disease is the #1 killer in Arkansas and stroke is #3. However, many lives can be saved by creating a statewide trauma system that will improve the transport and treatment of heart attack victims. Quick transport and effective treatment can be the difference between life and death for a cardiac patient. Tell your lawmakers to help create a statewide trauma system. Currently there is no statewide system that provides the necessary EMS transport and treatment for individuals that may suffer traumatic injuries including heart attacks and stroke. This issue needs to be a priority for all lawmakers as they develop their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Please help get this issue on their radar today.

Keeping you up to date!

Such an incredible month! I must apologize for the lapse in updates to the blog. The weather here in Arkansas has been inclement, to say the least, and along with the storms that ravaged our town came an outage in my internet service. Those of you who know me know that this is a punishment almost worse than death! The internet is my right arm, so without it I am at a loss. But we are back up and running and I have many new exciting things to share.
I had lunch today with Barbie Kumpe, our lobbyist leader. Barbie has been out of the office for the last six weeks having total knee replacement surgery. She is back at the office, and slowly getting back on her feet. It was wonderful to sit down and get back to business with her. We were able to review all the initiatives for the upcoming 2009 session, and make plans for our upcoming committee meetings. We are putting together special task forces for each of the upcoming legislative issues, to try to really target the people/funds/strategies that will help us make the most impact. Our largest and most ambitious goal for this session is the increase of the tobacco excise tax. Arkansas could raise this tax by fifty cents, and only then be at the national average. Doing so would give our state the funds it needs to place AED’s in all public schools, create a statewide trauma system, and support additional childhood wellness programs. Passing only one of our financial initiatives could easily pave the way for the others to fall into place. I leave October the 13th for multi-state lobbyist training. I’ll be traveling the states this year helping advocacy groups enact change in their states.
I was also honored to be the guest speaker at the Arkansas Newcomers Luncheon September 11th. I was asked to present “Go Red for Women” to this group of 170 ladies, and was also able to speak to them about the AHA’s legislative issues for 2009. As many of them are in fact new to the state this was the first time they were hearing about the exciting activities that the AHA conducts on their behalf. I was able to recruit literally dozens of new members to both the Go Red campaign, and the You’re the Cure advocacy group.
On the fun and frivolous side of my year, I had the opportunity to travel to Dothan Alabama for my official Mrs. International head shots at the end of August. I got to spend two unbelievable days with Clay Spann and Joey Retherford; truly two of the most amazing talents in the pageant industry. Clay’s photos are just magical, and Joey is a wardrobe master! I am so honored to get to work with them both this year!
Kevin and I were honored to travel to Chicago Illinois for the Mrs, Miss and Teen Illinois International pageant. We were so pleased to be asked to judge this incredible group of women. What an amazing, but also amazingly difficult experience it was!
Enjoy the photos-I promise to try to do better with keeping you up to date.

HEART FOR WOMEN!!

If there is one thing our legislators know by now, it is that You're the Cure advocates are tough to ignore- and yesterday, Congress showed us that they have been listening. The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the HEART for Women Act by a unanimous voice vote, bringing us one big step forward in our mission to see the bill become a law. Congratulations! It was your action on this important issue that has brought us to this point. As every good advocate knows though, with the celebration of crossing one hurdle comes the call to action to get us over the next one. The full House of Representatives could vote as early as next week to pass the bill and send it to the Senate, so our Congressmen and Congresswomen need to hear from us! Urge the House to swiftly pass the HEART for Women Act! The current session of Congress ends soon, so we don't have much time. Your immediate action is necessary to keep the pressure on the House to consider the bill at its earliest available opportunity. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the women close to your heart. Every email you send, phone call you make, or visit you go on raises awareness about the critical need to address the cardiovascular diseases that claim the lives of nearly 460,000 women each year. Margaret Mead once said "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has"- and you and your fellow You're the Cure advocates prove that every day. Keep up the good work!

The Go Red Website, Heart Gallery, Heart Ball Fashion Show and more!

What an incredible week it has been. There have been amazing things happening, and amazingly difficult things as well. First, I am so honored to share with you that my video testimony has gone up on the national Go Red For Women web site. Visit www.goredforwomen.org to see the clip, and my introduction as a national spokesperson for this amazing organization. This really feels like the beautiful culmination of eight incredible years of dedication and work. I have had the privilege of speaking to groups from as small as 8 women, to as large as 1000, but I could never have hoped to reach the number of women that will be reached every day by this piece being featured on the Go Red site.
Our fund raising season has kicked off, and we are starting to have the fabulous round of events that lead up to the Heart Ball. I was so excited to be asked to model for the kick of fashion show at Barbara Jean fashions in Little Rock. Miss Arkansas International Erin Golden and I were thrilled to model the fairy tale fashions of French designer Domanique DeSentino. I also had the opportunity to open the show by introducing Go Red and the Heart ball to the attendees. I had only five minutes, but I packed some incredible information in that short span of time! I so look forward to this incredible season of fund raising, educating, and awareness!
I was also so thrilled to get to be part of the inaugural shoot for the Greater Arkansas Heart Gallery. I have been honored to serve on the board of this incredible organization for about a year. The chairwoman is my dear friend, Robin Moore. Robin has such a heart for these precious children, and after a year of hard work and dedication we celebrated the first photography session with some beautiful and gifted children. I can’t share photos of the children with you, due to legal reasons, but please enjoy the photo of Robin, and the wonderful photographer Stuart Holt. Stuart is remarkably generous, and donated his time and talents to this incredible cause. We cannot thank him enough; finding a photographer for this incredible project has been the most challenging step so far. Stuart stepped in and saved the day. We cannot wait for the kick off exhibit!
I want to thank all of you who are calling and emailing your thoughts and prayers for my father. This has been a very difficult week. On Monday we discovered that my fathers white blood cell count had plummeted. Normal range for white cells is 2.8-7.8. On Monday dad’s cell count was 0.8, and he was extremely dehydrated. He has been in isolation for the week, receiving IV fluids, antibiotics and shots of a drug which encourages the bone marrow to increase white cell production. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

Lions Club 2008

I was the guest speaker at the Lions Club today. What an incredible group of volunteers and community leaders these individuals are. We had an incredibly large group despite being bumped from the normal location; there were about 150 people at the luncheon. I was incredibly honored to speak before this group in 2003, and it was a blessing to return. I am always amazed at how open and receptive people are to the message of women's heart disease education and awareness. As usual I asked the members of this group to sign up for the "You're the Cure" advocacy circle. On average I am lucky if I get 25% participation from a group, especially one of this size. I believe that typically people are hesitant to give out their email, for fear of more spam in their in-boxes. We at the AHA assure them that we do absolutely zero address sharing, but people are still hesitant. I am thrilled to report that we got 100% participation today! These members were so excited about the opportunity to become political activists for such an incredible cause, and with so little effort!


This was the first opportunity I had to speak before an audience wearing the Mrs. International banner. I'm still just overwhelmed when I put it on. I'm overwhelmed that I am the face of such an amazing organization; I'm overwhelmed that I am the representative of such an incredible group of women; I'm overwhelmed at the possibilities before me this year!

STOP Stroke Act Stopped in the Senate

On July 28, the Senate voted to consider a package of 35 bills, called the Advancing America’s Priorities Act, which contained the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention (STOP Stroke) Act. Unfortunately, the package did not get the 60 votes needed to move forward, slowing the progress You’re the Cure advocates worked so hard to achieve with STOP Stroke.
Although the outcome was not what we had hoped for, You’re the Cure advocates were clearly heard on Capitol Hill! In just a few short days, you helped generate nearly 7,000 emails, contacting all 100 members of the Senate. We also placed phone calls and sent faxes to targeted members, and the AHA was proudly represented by Virginia stroke survivor and You’re the Cure advocate Paul Berger at a press conference just days before the vote. In addition, STOP Stroke was mentioned numerous times on the Senate floor throughout the debate.
We may be down, but we are not out, and the count continues until Congress adjourns for the year. Now, more than ever, we need your help to keep the pressure on the Senate. It is very important that you tell your Senators that this bill must move forward before the session ends.
Send a message to your Senators today to let them know that their You’re the Cure constituents are following their actions and will stand up for the nearly six million stroke patients and their families in this country.

Updates, appearances and the AHA

First of all I want to thank all of you that are calling and emailing to check on my father. His condition can best be described as "improving". We were so happy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pastorate at our church in Conway on the 27th. I was so honored to be able to speak during the morning service, and tell him publicly just how proud I am of what he has done with his life. We had a state senator, the mayor of Conway and several community and church leaders come and speak about what an incredible ministry my father has had. As wonderful as the day was it was exhausting for dad. When I came home from Chicago I was honestly shocked to see him so thin and pale. He is extremely anemic, and that has to improve before his chemo can begin. Sundays activities really drained him further, and he has spent the last three days in bed resting. We will meet with his oncologist next week to determine how his counts are doing, and when his chemo will begin.

This last week has been amazing in many ways. My friends at the AHA have been thrilled with the news that I was crowned Mrs. International. My advocacay leader Barbie Kumpe is out having knee replacement surgery. I am anxious for her to get back so we can move ahead with out plans for the 2009 session. Marlene Vadjunec is our metro executive director, and is thrilled that Mrs. International is in her home state. We have many events coming up for the 2009 season, that I cannot wait to be part of as the representative of the International system. The festival of wines is always our first event of the season, and of course Kevin and I are in the thick of the planning season for the '09 Heart Ball.

I've started what will no doubt be a wonderful year of incredible appearances. My first was to film a knew segment for the home page of the "Go Red" website. I cannot wait to see the completed piece, and see it go up on the website. It should wrap the end of this week. I also had an interview with our state NBC affiliate, which gave me a chance to really talk about what makes the Mrs. International system "the" system for married women . I also had an interview with our state newspaper which will come out this Sunday, and an interview with AY Magazine, a statewide periodical, which will come out in September. It has been an incredible and incredibly busy two weeks, and I cannot wait to see what is to come! I still marvel at this opportunity, and feel so blessed to be living this dream that I have had for so long. God is good!

Arkansas Moving Toward 2009 Session

The 2009 Legislative session will be a busy one for the American Heart Association, with three major issues on the agenda. The first is the creation of a statewide trauma system. Such a system would allow Arkansas to properly treat strokes and other traumatic brain injuries. Currently, Arkansas does not have a statewide trauma system or a level one trauma center. Last session legislators could not come to an agreement on the funding for the system therefore no legislation was approved. However, several funding streams are currently being discussed in preparation for legislation in 2009.

Contact your legislators and let them know how important this issue is for Arkansas.

Next on our agenda is funding for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for all schools in Arkansas. Representatives Janet Johnson and Sandra Prater have taken the lead on this issue, and are reviewing information to determine how best to move forward with funding for schools across Arkansas.

Encourage your representative to work to fund AEDs in all schools in AR.

Finally, Arkansas' tobacco tax is well below the national average — just 59 cents compared to a national average of $1.18 according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Not only is price a big deterrent to youth smoking (for every 10 cents you increase the tax you can see a 7 to 10 percent decrease in consumption), Arkansas is leaving dollars on the table that could be used to provide much needed health disparities programs that reach into communities all across Arkansas.

We will keep you updated as this issue advances in preparation for the 2009 legislative session.

Mrs. International 2008!!!

As I sit at my desk typing these words I am filled with more emotions than I can articulate. I have been raised in the knowledge that for everything there is a time, a purpose and a season. For me, this is the time and season to be Mrs. International 2008 and I vow to carry out those duties with purpose.

The International system has always been the penultimate of married women’s pageants. They, as an organization, represent all that is best in pageantry. Mel and Mary Richardson have an unwavering dedication to ethics and integrity, and a desire to use their forum to showcase the most beautiful attributes of married women; strength and purpose. They and their staff are to be commended for their beliefs, their commitment to excellence, and their incredible love and compassion.

I was so honored to compete in the Mrs. International pageant this year. I knew beforehand that I was going to be among a field of unbelievably accomplished, educated and passionate women. Upon arrival that reality was even more evident as I spoke with women like Cynthia Ducett who has dedicated her life to preventing drug abuse in teens since losing her daughter to a tragic overdoes; Shannon Devine who has dedicated herself to spreading the life saving message of organ and tissue donation; Sasha Townsend who has a passion for raising children in a healthy environment, and supporting them through the worst of times; Michelle Beckwith whose personal loss has empowered her to become a passionate spokesperson and activist on behalf of prostate cancer victims across the nation. I could go on and on and on, but the knowledge that I was singled out as the representative for a group such as this is overwhelming, unbelievable and amazingly humbling. And not only were all of the contestant spiritually beautiful, they were all physically beautiful as well! Everyone glowed from the inside, and there were some of the most beautiful evening gowns I have ever seen in my life on that stage. What an incredible event it was! Matt Davenport and his production team outdid themselves this year. The new PR firm, WPRK, organized several outings for the group that really made all of us feel so special. And of course, Mel, Mary and their staff were glorious to work with.

It is an unimaginable honor to have been chosen to represent this system this year. The International system has partnered with “Go Red for Women” as their national platform. I cannot begin to express what that means to me! As I left the stage after my crowning photos I was presented with my Swarovski “Go Red” dress pin from Monica Flores, the national head of “Go Red”. That was the moment of the evening that moved me to tears. After spending eight years with the AHA I am going to be able to spend this year as their “face”. God is amazing! There truly is a time, a season, and a purpose for everything.

The best of bad news!

Sorry for the delay in my updates to you. I have been at the hospital with dad in the CCU unit at every available moment. The pathology came back from dads cancer, and it was indeed the best of bad news! The cancer is stage 1A, and had not spread to the surrounding lymph system. PRAISE GOD!!! This last week has been more emotionally and physically exhausting than anything I could have ever imagined. For the last seven days we have been through countless tests, and each day has seemed to be endless hours of waiting to hear just how bad, or prayerfully, how good the outcome would be. We now know that my father is in the best situation in which one can be when the diagnosis is lung cancer. The oncologist has strongly recommended four full rounds of strong chemotherapy. None of us are looking forward to that treatment, but we also know that this cancer is aggressive, and tends to metastasize in the brain, liver or bone. Chemotherapy should greatly reduce the risk of it's return. We praise God daily for the miracle of the discovery of the cancer at such an early stage. Dad's prognosis is great. Now, we anticipate the journey through his recovery and look forward to celebrating his cure.

The Heart Association is and always will be my passion. I've devoted almost a decade of my life in service to the AHA, and to educating women to the dangers they face from this killer, and I look forward to many decades more. During dads illness I have still been attending meetings and having phone conferences with the lobbyist group, and the heart ball committee. I've been told that our Health Initiatives team, of which I am a member, will definitely be travelling to the UK to meet in person with the Rt. honorable Dawn Primarolo in February of 2009. I'm honored and ecstatic; I've never been to the UK and can think of no better reason for my first trip "over the pond". But, I'm also really looking forward to forming my fist ever Relay for Life team. It will be an honor to devote some of my volunteer hours in honor of my father. Kevin, Mom, Leigh and I will relish the opportunity to honor and repay him for the hours of support he has given to us all. Watch out cancer; here we come.