Saturday was a great day at the Women's Expo. I spent the day marketing some of the wonderful upcoming events that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has to offer such as the Nike Womenn's Marathon, our Light the Night Program, and all of our wonderful patient service programs. If you would like further information about upcoming events put on by LLS please visit our website at www.lls.org.

Thank you to Rebecca Villicana, Executive Director and Jessica Whitney, Campaign Coordinator for doing such a great job in the booth with me. It was also great to see WB Six Packer and dear friend Emily Dillie.

Last night was a beautiful evening at the DC Ranch Country Club. I was fortunate to participate in this wonderful Heartstring’s event that contributes to various children's Charities throughout the valley. The outdoor silent auction was a beautiful setting this time of year and as the sun went down and dinner began the compassion behind the event came to light. A wonderful presentation that truly did tug on your "HeartStrings" was shown just prior to the live auction including a gorgeous little Maltese puppy who managed to steal always the hearts of all in attendance.

Las Vegas was overtaken with even more beautiful women than usual this weekend as pageant girls gathered for the live broadcast of the 2008 Miss USA pageant. I was fortunate to enjoy Vegas with my dear friends Mrs. World Diane Tucker, Mrs. Arizona 04 and Executive director of the Miss Arizona USA pageant Britt Boyce, and Co-director of the Miss Arizona USA pageant Debbie Lee. The USA Arizona staff made sure that Diane and I had access to all of the fun rehearsals and pageant activities. Thanks Ladies!

Thursday night we were joined by Mrs. Nevada America 06, Victoria Broz as we stormed Planet Hollywood and walked the red carpet for the Fashion Rocks the Universe show. Former Miss USA’s and USA contestants walked the cat walk in gorgeous gowns from Sherri Hill, swimwear by Syrup, and jeans wear designed by YMI. Back stage I even had the opportunity to meet Sherri Hill herself. She is a wonderful and talented woman.

Friday Night’s Pageant was full of suspense as all 50 girls prepared for the evening’s competition. The theater was filled beautiful gowns and cheering fans. I want to especially congratulate Miss Arizona Kimberly Joiner and Miss Utah Julia Bachison for the outstanding representation of their states through the pageant. Arizona and Utah are sister states so I was fortunate to get to know each of the girls prior to the pageant itself. Miss Texas Crystle Stewart took home the crown tonight and I think she will do a wonderful job as Miss USA.

After the pageant Victoria took the lead to show off her town with a VIP entrance to Vegas nightlife. We danced the night away!

Ok Ladies as most of you do I love the changing of the seasons. This means no more chilled bones and your skin will see the sun again. More importantly it means new fashion designs!

Mrs. Glendale Melanie Britton and I had the pleasure of modeling in a small fashion show at the Arizona Country Club for the WGA Spring Fling Golf Tournament. The show featured a wonderful clothing line that many of you might not know about. Etcetera's exquisite collections project a confident, creative, and vivacious spirit. Each piece features luxurious styling and meticulous attention to detail. Etcetera clients know they're wearing something extraordinary: beautiful, singular designs that keep them on fashion's leading edge. You can actually view the entire collection, Spring and Summer by going to www.etcetera.com and schedule your personal fitting with Dee Dee Rowe

April 6th 2008
Today I had the great pleasure of joining my dear friend Diane Tucker and volunteer at Race for the Cure in Tucson. You could not have asked for a more beautiful day as walkers, runners, and families participated in this great event. I worked in the Kids for a Cure part of the event as a tattoo and face painting specialist where I was also joined by Mrs. Arizona United States Elisa Rister. We had a great time getting to know some of the wonderful children of the Tucson area on this 10th anniversary of the Race for the cure event. Thank you Diane for being such a wonderful host and traveling companion as we ventured from Celebrity Fight Night to Race for the Cure. This was an eventful weekend and much was accomplished in the fundraising efforts for many organizations.

April 4th 2008
Today started with the 17th annual El Tour de Phoenix bike ride. I had participants of Team in training who rode 24 or 72 miles in honor of a very special little girl named Dominie Burwell. Over the past 5 years the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been the beneficiary of the grand cycling event and I am very proud to have been a part of the experience. Last night Perimeter Bicycling even handed me a check for nearly $6000 during the dedication ceremony for the event.

Later that evening I was thankful to participate in one of the nation's elite charity events, Celebrity Fight Night is a star-studded evening presented in honor of our featured guest, Muhammad Ali. Celebrities and professional athletes from all over the country participate in a night filled with incredible Live Auction items and live musical performances by many of today's brightest stars.

This power-packed night of excitement not only leaves our audience with unforgettable memories each year, but more importantly, 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 as the primary beneficiary. Numerous other charities have benefited and countless lives have been changed thanks to the tremendous generosity of our supporters. This year over 4 million dollars was raised.

April 3rd, 2008
Today I had the opportunity to “Get in Bed with Mark Mayfield”. I know it sounds crazy but Sleep America has joined hands with KSLX radio and the St. Mary’s Food Bank to run a three day food drive and today I had the opportunity to help out. The event was held as radio DJ Mark Mayfield spent each of the three days up on a Sleep America mattress on a flat bed truck and broadcasted live on location. People around the valley were challenged to bring in food donations or cash contributions to benefit the St. Mary’s Food Bank. This event was a huge success and brought in over 18,000 pounds of food and $11,000.00 in CASH. That means that St. Mary's will be able to turn that donation into meals for over 75,000 people!

Mark did such a stellar job I even let him wear my crown ;o)
Way to go Sleep America and KSLX !!
If you missed it, you can still help. Contact St. Mary's Food Bank here.

Thank you, Mr. McMahon for giving me the time to discuss the importance of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with your viewing audience. Our short but meaningful conversation inspired more than one individual to become involved with our fight against blood cancers before the end of the show.

The “Wine, Dine & Pine -First Release & Ground Breaking- Charity Event” was held on Thursday, March 27th from 6pm to 8pm- where attendees will be saving the lives of children one town home purchase at a time. Some guests took the opportunity to be one of the first to purchase an exclusive Nick Tsontakis “Signature Series Town Home” in Creekside at Eagle Mountain. For the first time in the White Mountains these extraordinary town homes offer contemporary rustic styling similar to those found in Aspen and Vail. The best part was that each purchase guaranteed a $10,000 donation to The Banner Children’s Hospital, and was be recognized with a one-of-a-kind, framed sketch of their new town home hand-drawn by a child at The Banner Children’s Hospital. Thank you Tim & Lori Moss for you continued dedication to your community.

Thank you once again to Smith and Engel Dentistry as we spent the day to educate the public on these ease of Invisaline braces. I know I love mine. Also thank you for the wonderful promotion you currently have to donate back $100 of a Zoom whitening treatment back to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Have you ever thought about becoming the next Mrs. Arizona America? We are currently recruiting outstanding women from all over this great state to vie for the title of Mrs. Arizona America 2008 and possibly become Mrs. America. These photos we taken at our Southern Arizona information session but if you would like more information please go the website and submit your contact information. You could be the next Mrs. Arizona!!

Every season the TEAM in TRAINING program puts on an honored teammate picnic. This is an opportunity for Team members to meet a few of the individuals who are either currently in treatment or in remission from a blood cancer. These Hero’s share their personal stories as inspiration to the team participants to help encourage them to go above and beyond in their fundraising efforts. This season’s picnic was held at South Mountain park and it was an absolutely beautiful day for a training practice joined by friends with a common mission to stomp out cancer one step at a time!!

A special thank you to the patients who came out to inspire us!!

The 50’s what a fun era. This 1950’s inspired event brought us all back in time. The room was filled with pink and white carnations and the event coordinators even had a gymnasium floor and basket complete with basket ball hoops to bring back that PROM Night feeling. Myself and several of the current Mrs. Arizona hopefuls spent the evening as photographers to take that memorable photo for each of the couples in attendance. I was wowed by some of the women how really took advantage of the theme of the night to go all out and dress the part of the evening.

Overall the event was a success and monies raised will ensure that the Arizona Science Center keeps up with its standard of wonderful exhibits and education.

Red Mountain Med Spa recently celebrated its grand opening in East Mesa, off of Greenfield Road. I was fortunate enough to experience some of the features that the spa had to offer prior to the event and I will tell you girls I was in heaven. I had a spectacular massage with Kristi followed by a facial provided by Melanie.

The Med Spa is the latest addition to Dr. Suzanne Bentz’s family practice located directly next door. I found that by having the luxury of a spa combined with the experience of an MD this facility really is a great place for your skincare needs. And you could not ask for a more friendly and welcoming staff. The grand opening took place on February 8th and was hosted by myself and Miss Arizona Teen USA – Ashley Stainton.

They offered not only spectacular package deals but raised over $1000 for a nearby children’s home.

The Bougainvillea Golf Club hosted the first local golf tournament to benefit the U.S. Vets. This group provides aide and shelter to homeless veterans of the US military. These former soldiers committed themselves to helping our country in time of need and now it is time to return the favor.

What a wonderful time I had snowboarding in the beautiful White Mountains. Sunrise Ski Resort has had an unusually great year and I was thankful for it. Being from Arizona snow is still a somewhat novel concept but I hit the slopes and some of them hit me back as I learned the sport of snowboarding.

This is not a sport for the weak however and my sore body will proof that. Nonetheless myself and fellow pageant contestant Debbie Lee conquered these mountains with our husbands.

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