Final Posting from Mrs. North Dakota International 2009

As Mrs. North Dakota International 2009 I was given the incredible opportunity to join in the fight against heart disease through Go Red, to spread the message on resources available to cancer patients and participate in many other amazing activities. I owe many thanks for this gift. To the Directors of the state program...Allison Harmon and Kathy Yohe...without your urging I would have never stepped out of my comfort zone to experience this wild ride. My goal was to make you proud and have you believe I was the right woman for the crown. I can only hope I succeeded. To Tim Williams (make-up and hair), Sheri Kennedy (pageant coach) and Paula Preston (professional photographer). I have never looked more beautiful. Your expertise and passion for beauty and poise seeped into my soul and made me the best version of myself. Your generosity and kindness will forever be remembered. To Ashley and Kristen - my Teen and Miss Queens - my Charles Angels - I am proud of the women you are and of your poise and confidence. We will forever be bonded as the North Dakota International Divas of 2009! And lastly, to my Mr. North Dakota, my husband Bruce. You were my biggest cheerleader. You became my manager, chauffeur, director and photographer. You never doubted my abilities and when fear or anxiety would creep in you were there to assure me no matter the outcome I am loved and cherished simply because I live and breathe. You are the light of my life. As always, it is time to turn this chapter in my life. To the women who have competed and won. You are the only real essence of you....your style...your spirit...your light. Allow yourself to shine as only you can. And remember..no matter the outcome you are loved and cherished simply because you live and breathe.

Signing out as your Mrs. North Dakota International 2009 ;-)

Teresa Olin

October 26th, 2009 - Women's Health Summit

"The Women's Health Summit is a meaningful, educational, and fun conference for women of all ages. It is meant to encourage you to take a proactive role in your own health and learn new strategies for healthier living. Women are educated, motivated and rejuvenated!"

North Dakota First Lady Mikey L. Hoeven.

Wellness and health education booths are set up for women to visit and gain knowledge in between sessions. I joined the Go Red booth to encouraging women to sign up for Go Red and LOVE YOUR HEART! Our 3 keynote speakers were amazing, funny and heartwarming. We were privileged to be among Dru Sjodin's mother who spoke about losing Dru and struggling to heal from this loss. Her goal now is to bring awareness to everyone to decrease the number of countless victims of violence. Tracey Conway, an award winning actress, was taping a television show when she literally dropped dead in her 30's from Cardiac Arrest. She survived and is motivating women in a poignant laugh-out-loud presentation to start taking their health seriously. Karyn Ruth White, a comedian, did not leave a dry eye in the house...hilarious does not even come close. Karyn wants women to realize the benefits of laughter and humor in their life and to begin to live a laughter-rich life! Mikey Hoeven was right - we were educated, motivated and rejuvenated!

October 22, 2009 - 4th Annual Bras on Broadway Benefit Auction

With honor, humor and hope, the Hotel Donaldson in Fargo, ND along with the American Cancer Society raised $40,000 to help breast cancer patients in North Dakota. Bras on Broadway is an annual fundraising event which raises money to help breast cancer patients. The event showcases signature bras and other artwork created by region artists. The bras are then modeled and actioned. My co-workers felt it was time to decorate a bra on behalf of the American Cancer Society and who other than Mrs. ND International would be chosen to be the model? ;-) The bra was decorated as cupcakes to celebrate the new logo for the ACS which is "Celebrating More Birthdays By Saving More Lives". Modesty and shyness went out the window as over 35 women, including myself, proudly strutted our stuff in gorgeous ....sometimes funny.... but always with the utmost spirit.... bras for a great cause! I had a wonderful time and I would do it again!

October 16th, 2009 - Medcenter One Run/Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness

Come rain or shine, walkers and runners take to the Tom O' Leary trail in Bismarck, ND for the Medcenter One Run/Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness. One in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer. Look around....do you have 8 women in your life that you love and care about? Odds are one of them will be affected by breast cancer. Walkers and runners come from all over to participate in this community event. Organizations, including the American Cancer Society, gather together at the beginning of the Run/Walk at the Women's Health Center and offer a multitude of education regarding health and wellness....most centered around conquering breast cancer. Pat, who is pictured with me above, is a wonderful woman and a great friend to my father. I have known her since I was a child. Pat has always participated in this event in the past working hard to try and bring awareness regarding this disease to our community and now at the 14th annual event she spoke about her own battle with breast cancer - she was diagnosed this summer. Honesty, humor and life sprang from her as she spoke about her personal fight as she battles this terrible disease. Her hat reads, "FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!" Do your duties women.....take care of your breasts and end this battle!

July 30th, 2009 - Purses and Pearls Event

Access to health care. Smoke free restaurants. Coverage for mammograms. Ever wonder who is fighting the fight for these important issues? It's the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network! They are engaged in many federal legislative campaigns to help eliminate suffering and death from cancer. In addition to the issues already listed above they are also fighting for more funding for cancer research and fighting to provide colon cancer screening and treatments to the uninsured and under insured. Purses and Pearls was a super fun, engaging and worthwhile event with all proceeds benefiting the Cancer Action Network. Women got to spend a night out with their gals, bid on gently used/vintage/new purses and jewelry while sipping wine and nibbling on great food! It was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who attended and look for us again next year!

July 30th, 2009 - Fargo, ND - ALS Dunking Booth

ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Lou Gehrig's Disease. Maladie de Charcot. Whatever name you call it the results are the same....a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle control. It causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body. I am more than THRILLED everytime I receive the opportunity to fight for a much needed cause! Today I was a "celebrity" in a dunking booth in Fargo, ND to raise money for ALS education and awareness. Dunk away....Go ahead....DUNK AWAY!!!!

July 29th, 2009 - Carwash Results Are In!!!

Has anyone ever told you "One person can't make a difference"? Here is proof they are wrong! As the Quality of Life Manager for the American Cancer Society, I am in charge of managing programs and services for cancer patients and their families. One of the services we are able to provide are head coverings...whether that be wigs, hats, scarves or turbans. But....I know there is always a but....because the American Cancer Society is a non-profit organization ALL we do depends on funding...that includes head coverings. If we have the funding we can offer these items, if we don't it is more difficult for us to allocate funds for head coverings that are meant for research and finding a cure. Sadly enough our supply of summer hats, scarves and turbans was very low in our area so I decided to do something about it myself. MY CAR WASH!!! My carwash was a big success and these are the great items I was able to purchase with the donations I received. (to see pictures and read about the carwash scroll down to the Car wash blog). A huge thanks goes out to my friends and family who helped and to those whose generosity and kindness made it all possible. The items will be distributed to the American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Center's in Bismarck. Thank you everyone!