When One Chapter Closes, Open Another ...

And so my year as Mrs. Iowa International 2010 comes to an end. I feel so blessed to have all the precious memories and opportunities that have come our way this year.

A HUGE Thanks to ~

My Lord and Savior

Ryan ... aka Mr. IA International 2010

Zipp ... aka Little Mr. IA International 2010

Mom and Dad

My amazingly supportive Family and Friends

My Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Family

May we all embody Live ... Learn ... Survive!

Feryl York, Mrs. IA International 2010

Celiac's Disease Conference

I had the honor of speaking at The Iowa Celiac's Disease Conference in Cedar Rapids. What an honor to educate several hundred people on proper exercise and embracing their own Live ... Learn ... Survive Journey!

MOPS Presentation

I had a wonderful time speaking to our local MOPS group about Live ... Learn ... Survive in November 2010.

Wine Tasting for LLS

Pictured below with participants of our Wine Tasting.

Joyce ... you are an AMAZING women! I feel so blessed our paths crossed ... together WE are a dynamite fund-raising team! :)

A HUGE thanks to Chris, Anne, Les, Diane, and Ryan for supporting LLS!

Mr. and Mrs. IA International 2010. Ry, you have no idea how much I appreciate all your support in all our endeavors! Love ya!

Thanks so much to Dogs on Skis and Collectively Wines for making our Wine Tasting a success!

Light the Night

October 9th, 2010: I had the extreme honor to serve LLS as Eastern IA's Walk Chair for Light the Night. This honor has left me speechless. Together at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, we raised over $300,000 for blood cancer research ... GOOOOOO TEAM!!!

Thanks Team Live ... Learn ... Survive!

Mom and Dad came all the way from Illinois to make Team Live ... Learn ... Survive complete!

Mom, you are my inspiration! Your positive spirit and energy are contagious!

What an amazing honor to have my Mother and inspiration for Live ... Learn ... Survive by my side for this special event!

I had the opportunity to personally thank our participants. "With your efforts, my mother has a chance to FIGHT CML. LLS is the reason she had the opportunity to use Gleevec for nearly two years and now Sprycel is literally saving her life. Thank-you for your efforts just doesn't seem to say enough for my appreciation. Tonight, WE walk for a CURE!"

Terry Loebsack visits Live ... Learn ... Survive.

I had the honor of "crowning" Terry!

Thanks so much for your support Congressman Dave and Terry Loebsack ... it means the world!

It's time to Light the Night Eastern IA!

Anne and Mom helping out at The Live ... Learn ... Survive Tent.

Anne~I can't thank you enough for all your love and support ... I am truly blessed to call you my sister in-law!

"The Gang" getting geared up for Light the Night!

Cedar Rapids Roller Girls

Guest Appearance at Cedar Rapids Roller Girls! This was my first experience with the sport of roller derby! WOW ... these gals are tough!

I had the opportunity to sign autographs and meet some loyal CR Roller Girl Fans.

Thanks to CR Roller Girls for giving me the opportunity to advocate and educate for Blood Cancer Awareness!

Rest assured ... I didn't sit here! It is ring side seating on the floor. You are certainly up and close to the action!

Thanks for a GREAT and ENTERTAINING evening CR Roller Girls!

Team in Training

Team in Training is an AMAZING fund-raising opportunity provided by LLS. Individuals train for endurance events while they raise funds for blood cancer research.

This group is preparing for Fall Endurance events like The Des Moines Marathon 2010. We got together to discuss injury prevention tactics to allow their bodies to complete their events injury free!

THANKS sooo much Team in Training!! It's the efforts of people like you that have given my mother a chance to FIGHT CML!! Together we will find a CURE!!!

National Youth Leadership Council Interviews

In August, I had the honor of interviewing candidates for The National Youth Leadership Council. What an inspiration to talk with our future leaders! They were very inspiring and it was a difficult task to narrow the candidates!

Pictured below with two GREAT young women from the Cedar Rapids area as they prepare for their interview.