~RAISED OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION!!!!! :) ~

(Above: The Big 12 COVER)

When I was sixteen years old, I became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society as Miss Oklahoma Teen USA. Alongside the American Cancer Society, I also partook in an organization called Daffodil Days.(http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp)

The daffodil is the first flower of spring, a symbol of hope, renewal, and for the American Cancer Society, the promise that one day the world will be free of cancer.(http://daffodil.acsevents.org/site/PageServer?pagename=DD_FY10_Findanevent)

To raise awareness and funds to help the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer, I sold daffodils and other items to my friends and family. In the end, I raised over 5,000 dollars for the cure.

Along with being a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, and selling daffodils through Daffodil Days, I also led a team of girls to participate in a Susan G. Komen, "Race for the Cure."

(Sign up for a race near you! http://ww5.komen.org/findarace.aspx?itc=lefthpban:96)

With all that said, after being so heavily involved in cancer related organizations, I immediately jumped on board when I was asked to participate in the 2009-2010 Campus Girls USA Calendar, where 100% of the calendar sales would go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health.

It was estimated by the American Cancer Society that in 2009 about 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were to be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

In 2009, ACS estimated that about 40,170 women would die from breast cancer in the United States. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

(http://www.bcrfcure.org/)

On December 31, 2009, we finished up the required calendar sales for the 2010 Campus Girls USA Calendars. I feel so blessed to have been able to contribute to such a worthy cause.

Not too long ago, my Mom's mother, (my nana) was a victim of breast cancer so it felt incredibly special being able to partake in something that would mean so much to her and benefit an organization like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Love you Nana!

Together, we were able to raise a phenomenal amount of money for BCRF! Each young woman featured within the calendar, was required to sale AT LEAST 100 calendars. There were 84 girls per calendar, and one calendar per conference. (6 conferences = Big 12, Big 10, ACC, Pac 10, Big East, SEC) The calendars were sold for $14.99.

With 504 young ladies selling at least 100 calendars, that would add up to 50,400 calendars sold. Selling 50,400 calendars for 14.99 would add up to $755, 496!!!!!!! We were able to raise well over half a million dollars to go toward breast cancer research!!!! That my friends, I think is an extraordinary fete. And for the record, many girls sold above and beyond their required 100 calendars, so we raised even more money for the cause!!!!! I will inform everyone on the exact amount of money raised once the entire sales period wraps up. :)

The calendars are 16 month, and still have an entire year left within them. (The calendar ends in December 2010) Therefore, if any of you are feeling generous and would like to donate to BCRF by purchasing a calendar, they are still available online or through me.

Remember, 100 percent of the profit will continue to go toward the cause. Below is the link.

(http://www.CampusGirlsUSA.com/preorder.php?ref=1679020)

Not only was it a joy to be merely featured in the calendar, but I take great pride in snagging the Big 12 COVER out of the hundreds of girls involved, and thousands of girls to have applied. I also am privileged to be featured on the website home page and within the Campus Girls USA 2010 video. Lastly, it was an honor to not only represent the Big 12, but to represent the state of Oklahoma, as well as to represent Oklahoma State University. (http://campusgirlsusa.com/video.php)

The encouragement and gratitude shown toward me from the numerous breast cancer survivors and the ability for me to send calendars to our American troops overseas made the experience even more rewarding.

RAISING OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH DURING A SPAN OF LESS THAN 4 MONTHS IS TRULY INCREDIBLE TO ME. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED!!!!

And finally, thank you Campus Girls USA for choosing me to be a part of the journey. –A shout out to Casey Nolan, VP of Operations, and Trevor Debth, Founder & CEO. – You guys Rock! IFG FOR LIFE!

Thank you to everyone who has been following my blog!

There is much more to come!

Have a fantastic week.

Morgan Elizabeth