Lung Cancer Awareness Advocacy Summit May 27-29

The purpose of the Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit is to provide training and guidance to advocates for how to effect change at a grass-roots level. The summit will consist of teaching workshops, interactive sessions, networking, and small-group discussions. The workshops will be lead by health and research professionals, media trainers, and advocacy trainers. The topics that will be discussed include: understanding lung cancer, how to be your own health advocate, becoming a lung cancer consumer reviewer, how to de-stigmatize the disease, raising lung cancer awareness in your community, and how to navigate the legislative process.
I am on the Advisory Board for this event. I look forward to helping, learning and meeting others that share my passion for making a difference. To find out more information, please contact me or go to www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org

Happy Easter!

My son bought a nice camera with his Birthday and Christmas money, and we finally took the opportunity to take a few photos. My son, Cameron is a pretty good photographer too! Our family is small, but oh so loving and happy.
I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a Blessed Easter!

United for Lung Health 2008 in Washington, DC

On May 13th and 14th, I am attending the United for Lung Health 2008 Lobby Days in Washington, DC. The United for Lung Health/2008 Federal Advocacy Day provides an opportunity to share our federal action agenda and stimulate discussion on lung research and education programs with federal legislators. The United for Lung Health/2008 Federal Advocacy Day will also provide federal legislators with access to an independent lung health community that is vibrant and dedicated to protecting and promoting lung health and supporting research for lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer, LAM, ARDS, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidoisis and others. Please visit www.unitedforlunghealth.org to learn more or to sign up and join me!

New Crown Photo!

What can I say, except that I love Clay Spann! He does such a great job, and makes everyone feel special. I had the best time in Dothan, which of course you can tell by the big smile on my face! Thanks Clay and Joey!

Network for Hope

March 11, 2008


I found a wonderful organization here in the local area, Walk with Sally, that helps kids 7-17 cope with having siblings or parents with cancer. I volunteered for the first time last night, Tuesday March 11. They teamed up with 2 other fantastic organizations, Hope Wine and Network for Hope, that each have their own wonderful way of helping others. Network for Hope brings people together, and networks with people, organizations and charities. Hope Wine combines their business and love of wine with giving back, as 50% of profits goes to certain charities. They helped sponsor the event last night and are donating 15% of wine purchased to Walk with Sally when using the code "sally" with your online purchase. Check out www.hopewine.com for THE best wine, ever! I had great fun helping with the door prizes and educating everyone about Walk with Sally. I am currently going through their mentoring training program so that I can mentor children that face the realization that their parent or sibling has cancer and what that means. It is a great balance for me, as with Lung Cancer Awareness, I am mostly dealing with research and funding awareness and I really want to help others going through what I went through. Although I was an adult, the experience is similar and if I can help just one child cope and feel like they have a common bond with another, then I will feel successful.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation signed by Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels!

March 4th, 2008


I received a call today from Governor Daniels' Office. He signed the proclamation I sent him! Victory! This Proclamation declares November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month! I have an appointment to meet with the Governor, and I plan to address the needed funding for lung cancer research. We have to approach each state separately, but I know that in time, we will have national funding! It is a GREAT day!

My new Clay Spann photo!!!...and a perspective on the Dr. Phil Show

Well my official Clay Spann photo is here and posted on the Mrs. International Website! I am so happy with the result. I wish I could do my makeup this well - Clay is a genius. Thanks Clay for making me feel beautiful!
Did anyone catch the Dr. Phil show last Thursday? I am embarrassed for the pageant industry and outraged at the portrayal of married pageant women. I can't speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself in that I started in pageants at 17 as an outlet to perform and earn scholarships. I won my first pageant, then went to Miss NC, then after I gave up my local title, went to college, then...living life kicked in and the next thing I knew, I had aged out of the Miss America system and was married and expecting my son, Cameron. I entered Mrs. Pageants to continue my love of performing, speaking, and working to be the best person I could possibly be. Three of my four best friends are pageant women...2 of which I met because of pageants. THAT in itself is worth more than anything and I cannot begin to put a price tag on it! My life is richer because of my friends and my involvement with pageantry...what about you?