This month has been so crazy busy that I haven’t had time to write as much as I would have liked, but I promise to start getting better at it! I don’t want to miss a minute of this year and I would love to write it all down so there is no chance I forget. Hope you are all enjoying the journey as much as I am!
Relay for Life
On Saturday April 28th, I was excited to be apart of the Santa Clara Relay for Life, I participate in the Cupertino Relay every year with my
team Crown’s For a Cure, but being able to do it in my home town makes it a little more special. The Relay For Life is a 24 hour event that takes place all over the county raising money towards the American Cancer Society, and helps to make it possible to give scientist the funding to help find a cure. Last September I even had the opportunity to go to the Relay Summit in LA and take place in all of the planning that goes on for the following years Relay. So, needless to say Relay is something I am very familiar with and is very dear to my heart.
In the morning Jessa and Ashley joined me in anouncing the Survivor’s and Caretaker’s laps and cheering them on. We then walked a few of the laps ourselves and bought some of the yummy treats from the different teams and participated in some of the other on site fundraiser’s. Later in the day we got to announce all of the theme laps which was realy fun, due to the fact that some people get so into a 
little competition and rise to the occasion. Which is also one of my favorite parts of Relay, among many others. The laps consisted of things like treasure hunts, or taking pictures of the luminaria bags.
Jessa and Ashley had Wilcox’s Senior Prom to go to that night, so I returned later to join in some of the other events and be apart of the luminaria ceremony. I felt very touched to be asked to share my story about my Mom and why I participate in Relay every year. I am one of the lucky few that gets to have a Survivor in my life and not a day goes by that I don’t cherish and think of what could have been. I also feel so blessed to think that maybe, just maybe my fundraising efforts might put us one step closer to finding a Cure for this terrible disease. Thank you so much Santa Clara Relay for letting me be apart of such a special day!
Visiting Eddie’s class
On Friday May 4th, I was asked to visit Michael’s brother Eddie’s class. Where I met some of the most special and talented young people I 
have ever come across. Especially because of how inquisitive and happy they were. Upon entering the room I received a bouquet of flowers and at the end of the day when I got home I was happy to receive a card from each of the kids in the class thanking me for my visit. I love meeting new people especially when I get the chance to learn a little bit from them and they defiantly made me value how much I have and made me smile. I’m not sure who enjoyed the visit more me or them, especially since they kept referring to me as “Miss Santa Clara” instead of Caitlin.
Sonoma Tanning
On May 12th I went and supported our sponsor Sonoma tanning at one of their special events, Mom’s Day out. Sonoma tanning does all of our airbrush tanning, both at the local level and for Miss California and if you haven’t heard of them you should really check them out. They do a beautiful airbrush tan that leaves you beautiful and never fake or orange looking. I certainly have appreciated their support over all the years I have competed!
Bowlathon
Later that day I went to my Avon walk team “Big C’s” fundraiser and Bowlathon “Bowling to End it” where we had an 
amazing turnout of 90 bowlers some of which were my amazing friends, supportive family, and all of my teammate’s friends and family, together we made $3600 towards the Fight against Breast Cancer. I am always so proud to be apart of such an amazing team full of courageous women with so much drive and enthusiasm about raising money to find a cure. Some of my teammate’s are even Survivor’s like My Mom, so it makes it that much more special to get to share all of this with. We have had several fundraisers this year, but this was by far our most successful! It was a day filled with smiles, strikes, raffles, silent auctions, and baked goods. A huge thank you to everyone who came out and supported the cause! We could not have done it without you or your generous donations!
My Amazingly Supportive Friends!
Courageous Kids
The next day I attended the Courageous Kids event, held by the American Cancer Society at Great America. There were many children there who were either recovering from Cancer or who have been touched at some point and they all ranged in ages from very young to young adults. I was nervous 
before hand that it might be hard to see or that seeing them may make me upset, but just like any other group of children they were happy no matter there pain or difference from the people around them. I continue to be amazed by how strong children are no matter what may be going on in their lives. It was truly special to be able to make them smile by just talking to them, taking pictures with them and giving them autographs. They made me feel like a celebrity! Speaking of celebrities, one of the other special guest they had there was Randy Lot who used to play for the San Francisco 49er’s! The girls and I were star struck and very excited to get to take a picture with him.
Overall, I had such an amazing day meeting all of the children and getting to see each of their different bubbley personalities. I think that I took more smiles and laughter from this day, and had more fun then any of those children. If they had even half as much fun as I did I would feel great inside. I don’t think I have ever smiled hard or ever had as many giggles as I did that day with those children. They certainly know how to focus on the positive!
Thanks or reading!
XOXO
Caitlin
misssantaclara2012 