"To whom much is given, much is expected." As Miss Virginia 2008, I want to use my title to do the most good possible and prove that "Beauty is as Beauty DOES." Raising funds for pediatric cancer research has been an important part of my life for many years. In 2005, as a student at Penn State, I danced in THON and went 48 hours without sitting or sleeping to help raise over $4.1 million for this cause. As an ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network in Virginia and I have befriended many children suffering from cancer who have forever touched my life; little girls who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment, and who are often made fun of at school for being bald. Imagine if those little girls got a visit in the hospital from Miss Virginia who was also bald...I am doing this for them. I'm also doing this for a young woman who did not win her battle with cancer. I recently spoke at a middle school and, after giving a presentation, a 6th grade girl came up to me and gave me a bracelet that said "Kassidy Our Champion" on it. She told me that Kassidy was her sister who had died last year of cancer when she was 12 years old. I wear it every day. And every day I work to be worthy of having it. This St. Baldrick's event is one way that I can be worthy of Kassidy's bracelet. Though I didn't hit the $500K mark by April 11th, together we raised over $23,000 in just one month (a portion of which has been shared with the Children's Miracle Network and the Miss Virginia Scholarship fund) and that is no small feat. While I was not able to shave as Miss Virginia, I plan to continue fundraising and will still shave after my reign is over. I am dedicated to raising this money and dedicated to this cause. Thank you to Gail at the Gallery of Weave and Wigs in Richmond, VA http://galleryofweavewigs.com/ for generously sponsoring me! Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to help me. It takes the tiniest factor to turn an idea into an epidemic and every contribution helps. I have been inspired by the hundreds of letters I've received sharing personal stories and numerous people who confided in me that they have recently lost their jobs and are struggling financially but feel compelled to donate what they can to these kids. I am honored to be a part of something that has touched so many and has forever changed my life. Being a beautiful person is so much more than your hair. It's more than your clothes, makeup, weight, or skin. It's about doing beautiful things for others... And it's about time we celebrate that. Thank you for your donation and your support. FOR THE KIDS ALWAYS ! Below are links to some of my fundraising efforts in the media!