It is every parent’s worst fear to lose a child; however, it happens much more frequently that we would like to imagine. Childhood cancers are the number one disease killer of children. One in every 330 Americans will develop cancer by the age of 20 and 200,000 children are diagnosed with this disease each year. Today, about 70 percent of children can be cured of this awful disease; however, these children often suffer from various physical and psychosocial side effects during and after treatment. Disabilities resulting from treatment may prevent childhood cancer survivors from fully participating in school, social activities and eventually work. Survivors often have difficulty getting married and obtaining jobs, health and life insurance. Even if these children are cured, their lives are changed forever. It is so important that we remain aware of the threat that cancer poses on the lives of children throughout our community. I'm so excited for the opportunity to be your Miss Sacramento County 2014 and to have the chance to stand up as a leader in our community, to lead the fight against cancer in the Sacramento, Yolo and El Dorado Hills areas. 

This year I will be working intimately with the Children's Miracle Network, an organization I have grown to love during my five year involvement with them. This organization is so wonderful in that any money that we raise as a community goes directly to our local Children's Miracle Network hospital, the UC Davis Children's Hospital, in providing children with lifesaving treatments and services that they otherwise could not afford. In fact, the Children's Miracle Network treats 1 in 10 children in North America each year with 62 children entering a CMN hospital every minute. The success of the Children's Miracle Network has only been possible through the amazing support of people like you and I know that this year with your help, we can make a difference in Sacramento County and beyond. 

As an aspiring physician, I look forward to continuing my work with the Children's Miracle Network Business Council to find out how our community can become more involved in supporting existing fundraising efforts. I also hope to reach out to schools and to meet with children to discuss how they can live healthier, happier lives and reduce their risk for cancer in the future. I desire to become largely involved with children and adolescents in our community to inform them of pediatric cancers and inspire our young people to become more involved. I have so much faith in our nation’s youth and I hope to act as a role model to instill in our children the desire to serve and willingness to take charge of their own health from a young age. 

Cancer in childhood occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region. It is a community-wide disease and we must stand up and fight for the children who are unable to fight for themselves. These children deserve every opportunity that life has to offer them and I believe that we can make a difference in the lives of children and parents in our county. I am honored to lead this fight as Miss Sacramento County and know that together, we can give these children the chance to live the lives they were truly meant to lead.

Contact us at miss_sac_county@hotmail.com to set it up!

How can you help? Gift the gift of life today and make a donation to your local Children's Miracle Network hospital!