Thank you so much to Tamara McElwee, Public Relations Director for the Salvation Army, for developing new ways to assist The Salvation Army community outreach programs and fundraising. My mom Lorraine and I were honored to model with our favorite local celebrities in this fabulous event. The Salvation Army helps continue to meet the growing needs of our community. All monies raised through ticket sales, silent auction, and clothing purchases benefited the women and children's programs. For more information, please visit www.thesalvationarmytucson.org.

Love,
Diane

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Thank you to Susie and John Copplin for inviting me to model in the Maya Palace Fashion Show for the Wives of Mining Club at the Tucson Country Club. It was an honor to model and promote my platform Breast Cancer Awareness and the Mrs. America/Mrs. World Organization. Thanks to the Wives of Mining Club for your community involvement and volunteer service.

Love,
Diane

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Mrs. Arizona Tracey Elliott and I were thrilled to attend the Miss USA Pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas! I reunited with friends Victoria Broz (Mrs. Nevada '06), Patty Markos (Mrs. Maryland '06), and Holly Ernst (Mrs. Minnesota '06). Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss USA Crystle Stewart! Crystle will compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam this July. During her year of service she will promote breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and the pageant organization. Congratulations to Julia (Miss Utah USA) and Kimberly (Miss AZ USA) for your hard work and dedication. You shined on stage! Executive Director Britt Boyse and Assistant Director Debbie Lee did an amazing job preparing both contestants. Looking forward to seeing you again soon at upcoming charity events.

Love,
Diane

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It was an honor to help support Steven Wezelman and his family with his Bar Mitzvah project. Steven wanted to do something to help other children as he prepared for his bar mitzvah, so he decided to have a raffle. Proceeds will benefit Children's Miracle Network of Tucson, which provides medical care for children at Tucson Medical Center. Steven, 12, first learned about the organization's annual telethon a few years ago. For the past couple of years, he has answered telephones and collected donations. He and his mom, Jayne Wezelman, spent three days driving to Tucson businesses so Steven could ask for donations. He now has 100 prizes and is selling raffle tickets for $1 each. Among the prizes are a Nintendo Wii donated by Play 'N Trade; a digital camera and a 32-inch LCD HD television from Best Buy; and certificates for Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Cuvee World Bistro, The Melting Pot and Anthony's in the Catalinas restaurants; among other items. Steven feels good knowing money he raises will help ill children. Thank you Steven for your incredible support for Children's Miracle Network.

Love,
Diane Tucker
Mrs. World 2007-2008

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It was spectacular to see a sea of 14,500 pink shirts cross the finish line at this year's 10th Anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Southern Arizona Race for the Cure. Over the past nine years, the local Komen Southern Arizona Race has raised $5 million dollars. 75% of the net income has provided programs and services for breast health needs in Southern Arizona. The other 25% has gone to international research, with over one million dollars going to the University of Arizona. The Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation has supported every advance in breast cancer research and is dedicated to curing breast cancer at every stage. Komen remains the nation's largest provider of funds for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. Thank you so much to the volunteers and participants who work together to save lives and help end breast cancer forever!

Love,
Diane

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Thank you to Debbie Castaldo and Diane Ritter for inviting the 2008 Mrs. Arizona America contestants, Mrs. Arizona 2007 Tracy Elliott, former titleholders, and I to volunteer for Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Scottsdale, Arizona. Celebrity Fight Night is a star-studded evening presented in honor of the featured guest, Muhammad Ali. The Foundation established The Muhammad Ali Awards as a way to acknowledge leaders in the sports, entertainment, and business communities who best represent the qualities associated with the Champ and his fight to find a cure. Celebrities from all over the country participate in a night filled with incredible auction items and live musical performances by many of today's brightest stars. Fight Night provides significant dollars for charities that help many people in need. Throughout Celebrity Fight Night's thirteen year history over $45 million has been raised with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute. Countless lives have been changed thanks to the tremendous generosity of our supporters. For more information, visit www.celebrityfightnight.org.

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Tucson Medical Center hosted its 5th annual "Be Safe Saturday" at Tucson Medical Center. Thank you to the Director, Erika Grasse, for inviting the 2008 Miss Arizona contestants and me to this extraordinary event. "Be Safe Saturday" offers free activities throughout the day for children and families. Features include more than 60 information booths, live safety lessons, exercise sessions, CPR demonstrations, and entertainment. Tucson Medical Center has been a part of Children's Miracle Network since 1984, raising more than $7.5 million for the TMC Foundation Children's Fund to benefit local programs for infants and children. Children's Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for 170 affiliated hospitals that care for children. Each year, these hospitals help more than 17 million kids who suffer from all diseases and injuries including cancer, birth defects, accidents and trauma. Money raised in Southern Arizona stays here to support wellness programs, purchase medical equipment and provide health services for children at Tucson Medical Center. Thank you so much to the community for supporting the Children's Miracle Network!
Love,
Diane

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Girl's Night Out Shopping Extravaganza holds five events a year in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale and twice a year in Tucson. Girl's Night Out benefits charities in need including domestic violence shelters in Arizona, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, and many other women related organizations. This event brings more awareness and exposure to these charities while providing some funding they need. What’s better than women shopping to help other women!

Congratulations to Colton, winner of the Students for the Cure Essay Contest. Colton gave an amazing, heartfelt speech about his mother and how she lost her battle to breast cancer. He read his essay to the top sponsors of the Southern Arizona Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Colton and I are honored to lead the 5K Run in the Komen Pace Car at the Race, scheduled for Sunday, April 6th at Reid Park in Tucson. There's still time to register at www.komensaz.org. Thank you so much to the community for supporting education, research, screening, and treatment in the fight against breast cancer.

Love,
Diane

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