Empower2Purpose "Girl Power" Conference

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First I'd like to say I can't believe it's November already! Today was definitely the first sign that fall was here....it rained all day! Even though I miss the warm weather, Southern California definitely needed some wet weather.

Today I was a featured speaker at the Empower2Purpose "Girl Power" Conference. The seminar had the theme of inspiring girls to go after their dreams; teaching them to be assertive, in control of their destiny, and community minded. I spoke during the dinner portion of the day! I really enjoyed talking about how I've gone after my own dreams, the obstacles I've overcome, and my plans for the future. I had such a wonderful time talking to the girls in attendance one-on-one, and I hope my words inspired them to make their own dreams come true! The founder of Empower2Purpose, Tamala Kelly, presented myself and the other speakers with GORGEOUS flowers and a commemorative award for attending "Girl Power." That was so unexpected and very thoughtful!

Empower2Purpose is truly an incredible organization. I found their mission statement so relevant to what girls today need, and that Empower2Purpose really takes into account what each and every girl has to say. Thank you so much for a wonderful day, it was something I will remember for a long time to come. For more information, or to make a donation to them, please visit: http://www.empower2purpose.com

AM 1400 KKZZ Interview

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Today I was a guest on the show "Locals Only" with Kelli McKay here in Ventura County on AM 1400! Kelli had contacted me through my non-profit organization's website, wanting me to be a guest on her show to discuss Heart2Heart. I thought that this was an incredible opportunity so I jumped at it! Not only did we discuss Heart2Heart, we also talked about my year as Miss California International and the International pageant system.

I also ran into a friend from high school who is a DJ and host on LIVE 105.5 FM. He actually had me do a couple of sounds clips, which was so much fun! Thanks to DJ Skitz and Kelli McKay for being so hospitable!

Birthday Celebration!

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Not only did we have the 5K today, it was also my sister Keri's 30th birthday! As a surprise, Eddie and Dennis made the trip out to Ventura County to celebrate with us! It was so much fun to have the family, Shawn, Eddie and Dennis all together. We did a really fun progressive dinner, with a twist. It was in the harbor, and a boat shuttled us from restaurant to restaurant! We had a lovely tour of the harbor, got to see the sunset, and had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday. Love you Keri....and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Start! Ventura County Heart Walk

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This morning was the 5K Start! Heart Walk for the American Heart Association in Simi Valley, CA! The weather was gorgeous....nice and sunny! Not only did I get my work-out by walking, I was also asked to meet and greet at the Go Red For Women booth!! They had a HUGE poster up with my picture, talking about my own heart abnormality. What a great keepsake! During the awards segment, I gave a short speech thanking the walkers for raising money as well as awareness. Thanks to the American Heart Association for asking me to be a part of this great event!

Light the Night Walk!

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Tonight, in Woodland Hills, was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Light the Night Walk." For anyone that hasn't done this event before, it is really unique! The walk is at night, because every walker carries either a red or white balloon that LIGHTS UP in honor or in memory of a loved one that battled a blood-related cancer. I have done this walk before, but it was the first time that my organization, Heart2Heart, had a team!

Team Heart2Heart had 13 walkers. Not only did my family walk with our team, but we had a couple local International titleholders that joined us!!! As a team we raised about $1,000 which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

It was a beautiful night tonight, and great to know that all of the fundraising Team Heart2Heart did contributes to bringing us one step closer to saving lives.

USO Celebrity Golf Tournament and Web-A-Thon

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What a beautiful 1st day of October! I had the opportunity today to attend the Celebrity Golf Tournament and 1st ever web-a-thon benefiting the USO! It was held at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The golf course literally sat right above the ocean water, and it was clear, warm day. I was waiting to find where the actual web-a-thon was being held, when I heard someone yell "I want my picture with Miss California!" The golfer took out his own camera and had a friend take a picture of the two of us. I had one taken also because it was JEREMY RACTCHFORD of "Cold Case" which is one of my absolute favorite tv shows! I found it hysterical that he wanted his picture with me, and I was definitely star-struck!

Inside the clubhouse was the web-a-thon. What a cool experience! There was 4 tv cameras there that were rolling, but for the Internet and not tv! I had about a 5 minute chat live on-air and web with the host of the event, radio station KEARTH 101's very own Gary Bryan. After that they let me answer the phone lines for to take pledges! It was so much fun!

Thanks to the USO of Greater Los Angeles for having me, and I hope that the donations you received today exceeded the expectation!!

Bone Marrow Drive for Tyler

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Tonight was the bone marrow drive that Heart2Heart was hosting in honor of Tyler Cordova. We had a great turnout for such short notice on this drive, which was thrilling! I had a wonderful time getting to know Vivian (the City of Hope coordinator), and Lloyd (the pastor of the church). We made some great plans for upcoming events...I'm really excited!

I want to thank City of Hope for facilitating this drive, and the Willow Street Church of God for providing us with a wonderful venue. Also a TREMENDOUS thank you to everyone who came to become a part of Be The Match...you could save a life!!!

Please continue to keep Tyler and his family in your thoughts!

Rusnak Audi presents College Launch: Keys to Success

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What a cool event this was! "Keys to Success" was held at the original Rusnak Audi dealership in Pasadena, CA. For the night, they teamed up with College Launch, a program to help kids applying to college to understand that colleges are looking for more than just great grades. They had dance performers, a fashion show, and a silent auction, which benefited the "La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation." I was asked to be a "Celebrity Panelist" and ask interview questions in a mock college interview! It was so much fun to be the one asking questions instead of answering them!!!

Thank you so much to Rusnak Audi and College Launch for including me in such a tremendous event. I really enjoyed myself!

Upcoming Bone Marrow Drive for the "Boy of the Year"

Tyler is 6 years old, and has gone through 2 years of treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. His tumor was thought to be gone, but his family just found out that the cancer has spread. He is need of a bone marrow donor, and has no match in his family.

My organization, Heart2Heart, will be hosting a bone marrow drive for Tyler at the Willow Street Church of God:
1455 W. Willow Street in Long Beach, CA
Monday September 29, 2008
4 pm-8 pm.

Anyone who wishes to be registered in Be The Match and possibly save a life should come to this event! There is normally a cost involved in being screened, but Heart2Heart will be covering this fee....so it will be FREE to anyone who comes!!!

If you would like more information, make a donation, or are planning to attend, please email me at heart2heart_org@yahoo.com or visit Heart2Heart's website http://www.hilarysheart2heart.org

SCV-Newhall Optimist Club

I can't believe it...tonight marked exactly one month that I've been Miss California International!! I celebrated by being the guest speaker at the SCV-Newhall Optimist Club. It was held at a wonderful restaurant in Saugus, California. I was provided with 20 minutes to speak about my platform, Heart2Heart, and what I have done to help people who suffer from leukemia and other blood-related cancers. Little did I know that one of the Optimist members in attendance actually has leukemia, and is awaiting a bone marrow transplant...his brother is a perfect match to him. This Optimist member was truly thankful for the strides I had made to add people into Be The Match so that the 70% of patients that rely on Be The Match for a matching donor would have better odds at finding a perfect match. I truly enjoyed tonight, and I want to wish the best of luck to him as he heads into surgery.