May 26th, 2009 - The Valley Buzz Interview

Missy Ohe, an inspirational life changing speaker from Grand Forks, North Dakota, writes for a magazine in the Grand Forks area. She inspires individuals through her speeches and writing to be the BEST THEY CAN in whatever they do. I was honored to be asked to be interviewed for an article she is writing for The Valley Buzz. She wanted to know as Mrs. North Dakota International and as I prepare for the National competition where I draw my passion and drive from - what keeps me motivated and inspired to continue to try and do my best. She asked me what two things and resources do I draw from for strength and she asked me how I will feel if I don't win at the pageant. In a shortened version, I told her I draw strength from observing others who have overcome tremendous odds in order to succeed - poverty, homelessness, abuse, disability, disease....human beings dealing with these hardships and have far more struggles than I do. They empower me to push as hard as I can and give me determination to be the best I can. My strength comes mostly from my friends and family and from within myself. I have been blessed not only with a supportive family but an extended family of friends who give me the push I need to forge ahead. They believe in me and the gifts I have been given 100%! When I doubt myself - I look to them because they never doubt me! I did not enter the pageant world to just be the winner - I entered it for the opportunities it will open and for the experience and journey. Life is about growing as an individual and stepping into unfamiliar territory is the best way to accomplish that. If the best I can do at the National level is 60th place than I will be proud of all I have done and all I am yet to do! This post is dedicated to Missy Ohe - who not only inspires others to be the best they can but also glows with tremendous spirit and love. Thank you Missy.

May 16th, 2009 - The first ALS Walk in Bismarck, ND!

ALS..What is it? It stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It is a motor neuron disease/neurodegenerative disease causing degeneration of the brain and spinal cord motor neurons. This causes loss of motor functions - walking, swallowing, breathing. There is no cure and little is known about the cause. The Minnesota Chapter who brought the walk to our state and to my home town of Bismarck, ND are looking to raise funds to empower people to live fuller lives by providing care and support. Men, women, children, pets and more showed up today to give their support to those who are struggling with ALS! Way to go ND!!

May 15th, 2009 - ACS and Cancer Comp Programs Collaborate Efforts

Cancer is non-discriminatory. It does not care what race, ethnic or social class you are. The truth is 1 in 4 individuals will be affected by cancer in their life - no matter who you are. One of the most affected ethnic groups is our North Dakota Native Americans. It is a must to bring together all organizations and healthcare providers who service them and make sure we are doing all we can to offer education, resources and treatment. Today as the representative of the American Cancer Society, I met with the ND Cancer Prevention & Control Program State Director and the Northern Plains Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Manager out of the Aberdeen Tribal Area. The goal is to collaborate organizations who have resources available to Native Americans and speak with the Tribal Leaders in our state as to the best way to publicize and incorporate these services into the tribal communities for cancer patients and families. Meetings are set to begin this fall. What a great opportunity to really make an impact in our fight against cancer!

May 11th, 2009 - Happy 90th Birthday and Beyond!

Every year Bethany Nursing Home in Fargo, North Dakota celebrates the lives of those who are 90 years and older! What a fantastic event! You can't even get into the party unless you are 90 years old or older! Mrs. North Dakota International had been requested to attend as a greeter. Little did I know I would be doing much more than that! I greeted and welcomed the guests as they arrived, crowned the oldest man and oldest woman (oldest man was 105 and oldest woman was 99!), I read my favorite poem titled "the Dash" and I danced...or attempted to dance....with the owner of Harmon Dance Works! It was one of those all for fun appearances by Mrs. North Dakota International!

May 7th, 2009 - Partnering with Trinity Cancer Center

As a non-profit organization it is very important to continue to nurture the relationships you have with other organizations. These other organizations can be the backbone to a program a community desperately needs. One of the greatest programs is the American Cancer Society's Look Good Feel Better program. Trained cosmologists volunteer their time and expertise to women battling the side effects of cancer treatment. They are taught about skin care, nail care and make-up. Hair covering tips such as hats, turbans and wigs are also discussed. Trinity Cancer Center in Minot, North Dakota has been gracious enough to allow this program to take place at its facility. Continued effort to make sure programs are running efficiently and effectively is an ongoing process and demands constant communication with our partners.

May 5th, 2009 - Medcenter One Helps to Recruit New Volunteers for ACS

The American Cancer Society's heart and soul is its volunteers. Our mission and success would not be possible without the dedication and drive of all our wonderful volunteers. To volunteer for something means just that - you are volunteering your time and self for a cause you are passionate about. We are so proud of all of our volunteers but the struggle to find and keep them is a continual battle. Collaborating with other organizations in the search for volunteers is a fantastic way to recruit and maintain our volunteer base. On May 5th, 2009 I met with the Volunteer Director at Medcenter One in Bismarck, North Dakota. Two wonderful volunteers were found by the Director and she had a hunch they would be a perfect fit for the ACS....she was right!

May 1st, 2009 - Go Red for Women at the TOPS State Convention

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America?! One in three women in North Dakota will die of heart disease! Thank goodness for initiatives by the American Heart Association and the Dakota Medical Foundation to improve the cardiovascular health of women and their families here in North Dakota. Go Red For Women is the AHA's nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and wipe out heart disease. The movement gives women tips and information on healthy eating, exercise and risk factor reduction. I am privileged as part of the International Pageant System to be partnered with Go Red and will be using my title to encourage women to LOVE YOUR HEART - GO RED! Learn to love your heart at GoRedND.com!

April 30th, 2009 - Fight Back Philosphy for Children Continues to Grow

The Fight Back Philosophy for School Age Children is starting to evolve into something I believe can make a difference in children and our community and beyond! Gathering our youngest allies and educating them on cancer and how they can Fight Back will impact not only the lives around them but also the future. As we all know, children can be quite an interesting audience, especially when they are 1st graders. I had to be fast on my feet and not drag one idea out for too long as their attention span would quickly lose focus! As I was educating them on the importance of eating their vegi's one little girl turned to another and started yelling at her, "You don't eat your vegi's because I sit by you at lunch and you hide them in your napkin!" Whew! Tough crowd! At least I can see the passion - now we need to teach them how to use it to Fight Back!

April 23rd, 2009 - Corpus Christi Health Fair

The American Cancer Society was invited to participate in the annual health fair at Corpus Christi church in Bismarck, North Dakota. Boy were they excited when Mrs. North Dakota International appeared on behalf of the ACS! One of the newest campaigns for ACS is that they are the "Official Sponsor of Birthdays" so I decided to have my booth be just that - a celebration of birthdays! I had balloons, gift wrapping and handed out cancer prevention facts for men and women. I gave everyone a birthday candle with a purple ribbon tied around it (purple is the color of survivors) to encourage everyone to stay healthy. We want more people to survive without cancer for many birthdays to come!

April 18th, 2009 - All American Bike Race for Cerebral Palsy

Faster! Faster! Faster! The goal...ride as fast as you can without any resistance on a stationary bike for 25 minutes to help raise money for Cerebral Palsy. If you think it sounds easy - just wait until you hit 10 minutes and you think "Do I really have 15 minutes left to go?" - but then you remember the struggle those with CP have to endure and the pain, exhaustion and despair quickly leaves your mind and you ride as hard as you can down to the very last second. What an exhilarating experience!

April 16th, 2009 - Fight Back Philosophy for School Age Children Emerges

The youngest daughter of a friend of mine was so thrilled at the idea of me being Mrs. North Dakota International that she asked to bring me for "Show and Tell". I spoke to 3rd grade children about what cancer is, how people feel when they have cancer, how they can help to improve the quality of life to those suffering with cancer and how they can prevent and fight cancer in themselves. It is important to include our younger generation in the fight against cancer because the search for a cure could be a long way off and we are always in need of better treatment and prevention options. Educating our youth and teaching them how to FIGHT BACK! FIGHT BACK! FIGHT BACK! may possible impact everyone's future.

As a little girl ever wonder what it would feel like to be a princess and wear a real crown? I made a few dreams come true for a few young girls today! They were loving it!

April 8, 2009 - KFYR-TV Early Morning Show

On April 8th, 2009 only 4 days after winning the title of Mrs. North Dakota International 2009 I appeared on KFYR-TV Early Morning Show; a local television station in Bismarck, North Dakota. I spoke out about the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program. In the Road to Recovery program trained volunteers give their time and money to assist cancer patients with rides to and from appointments. Family, friends and neighbors are usually more than happy to assist their loved one in need but there are times when they are not available..that is when our Road to Recovery volunteers can step up and help them out. We are proud to be able to offer this service to cancer patients as they battle this terrible disease.