This Saturday, June 21, is "The Longest Day!"

Do you ever wonder what being a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's or related dementia is like?  For many caregivers, it can feel like each day is "the longest day" ever. So, every year on the actual longest day of the year (June 21, which is summer solstice), the Alzheimer's Association leads The Longest Day, where teams around the world come together to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer's with a day of activity.  

Locally, with the Coachella Valley Alzheimer's Association regional chapter, we will be hiking up the "Bump & Grind" trail in Palm Desert beginning at 6:30 a.m. 

Join me in honoring the millions of caregivers who spend tireless days and nights caring for those faced with this devastating illness.  Show your love, concern and willingness to show support to END this disease.   


Our local news station, KESQ, has been great in helping us get the word out about this event!  Check out the news coverage:


http://www.kesq.com/news/group-hiking-for-alzheimers-awareness-support/26554686#.U6Ic-bHnlCs.facebook

See you all tomorrow!!  Wear your purple and show your support!

Recognizing Six Caregivers at the Visionary Women Luncheon with the Alzheimer's Association!

On Friday, May 9th, I was honored to be a part of the Alzheimer's Association Visionary Women Caregivers luncheon at breathtaking Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado Canyon, CA.  The first part of the day was spent being a model in the strolling fashion show modeling clothes for one of the many vendors, Rock N'Rags, based out of Orange County.  Its specialty is comfortable, yet upscale, casual clothing. So of course, I was in heaven showing off the clothes to all the attendees of the luncheon!

Lisa from Rock N'Rags and me wearing one of her comfortable (and cute!) dresses.

Me and Jodi Taylor, a dear friend and Alzheimer's Association team member, before the luncheon started.

Another model, the gorgeous Suzanne, who is vying for the Ms. Senior California title in August!  So needless to say, we both had a lot to talk about!  She's going to ROCK the Ms. Senior California stage and I will be there to cheer her on! 

Me and my sweet friend, Lynn Mullowney, of the Alzheimer's Association.  She was one of my very first friends at the Association!  We even traveled to Atlanta together for my first Alzheimer's Association leadership summit!  She truly touches every person that she meets!

The bazaar - lots of clothing, jewelry and handbags!  Ooh la la!

I took so many pictures, as the setting was just gorgeous and the atmosphere was very festive!  These are only 1/4 of the pictures and if I could post them all, I would!!!

Early in the event, I modeled a few different outfits, but once the bazaar and strolling fashion show were over, it was on to being Mrs. California International 2014 and representing the passion and the heart of the Mrs. International organization.  I loved speaking to so many of the attendees about my involvement in the International Pageant system and how excited I am to meet 70 other women in July who are equally as involved and engaged in our communities.  Can July just get here already?!?

A quick picture with Suzanne before the luncheon started!

Me and Kristina, who is part of the PR/marketing team that represents the Alzheimer's Association.  We had so much to talk about!

To kick off the luncheon, we had the privilege of listening to celebrity keynote speaker, Marion Ross, best known as Richie Cunningham's mom on "Happy Days," as well as the littler-known fact of being the voice of "Sponge Bob Square Pants' grandmother."  She spoke about the compassion that a caregiver must have, as well as the respect that she gives to those who tirelessly care for those with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.  Marion was hilarious, but also down to earth and extremely empathetic to those affected by the illness.  She was truly a joy to meet and listen to!

Then, we honored six local caregivers in the categories of: Youth Caregiver (and not a dry eye in the house when his story was shared), Family Caregiver (who shared a touching poem that she would recite to her husband when times got tough during his battle with Alzheimer's), Professional Caregiver, Administrative Professional and Medical Professional.  To see the passion that each of these folks had for the Alzheimer's Association and commitment to finding a cure for this illness was incredible!  I will forever be touched by their stories.

With lots of love,
Christy
Mrs. California International 2014

Spa Soiree benefiting the Alzheimer's Association

Just two days ago, I was lucky enough to be a part of the Spa Soiree at the Spa at Westin Mission Hills, which benefited the Alzheimer's Association, Coachella Valley chapter.  For two hours, ladies (and a few gentlemen, too!) enjoyed spa services courtesy of the Spa at Westin Mission Hills (including neck massages, foot soaking, hairstyling, hand massages, chakra cleansing, aromatherapy and more), tasty appetizers and delicious beverages.

Here are a few "action" shots of relaxation!

A few of my very favorite people were the main organizers of this event.  Anne Gimbel, regional director of the Alzheimer's Association - Coachella Valley, Teresa Segovia, Latino Outreach Coordinator, and Pam Bieri, who does public relations and marketing for the chapter.  Through my involvement with the Alzheimer's Association, these ladies have become some of my dearest friends.

Anne, me and Teresa at the check-in table

Sara (from The Spa at Westin Mission Hills), me and Anne

Me and the ever-amazing Pam Bieri!

I'm still on pins and needles for how much we raised for the Alzheimer's Association, but since we had a great turnout, I'm sure it will be equally as great!

Thank you to the entire Spa at Westin Mission Hills team, especially spa manager, Monica Donato!  You have made me a life-long spa fan!  See you all soon!!

It Takes a Village!

I want to take this opportunity to thank two of my Mrs. California International sponsors (or as I like to call them, the VIPs!!!).

First off, the folks at Custom Care Solutions in Palm Desert, CA (specifically Mandy, Misty and Dom) have become dear friends of mine throughout the past two years of living in the Coachella Valley.  We are all active in ACT I (Aging Community Team) and are on the ACT I board of directors (Mandy is the president, Misty is the treasurer, Dom is the secretary of membership and I'm the board secretary).  In addition, we all volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association (Dom is the chair of our Walk to End Alzhiemer's - Coachella Valley as well!).  So needless to say, we're all engaged in making a difference in the lives of seniors!

Also, they are graciously sponsoring me in my quest to become Mrs. International 2014!

Please click on Custom Care Solutions to be taken to their website!  Custom Care Solutions is an in-home care provider for seniors, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s patients and more with nurse aides and live in help available.  Click HERE to "like" their Facebook page!

Here's Misty, Mandy and Dom of Custom Care Solutions!

Another generous sponsor is The Skin Loft in La Quinta, CA!  They are making me look like a true California girl by providing spray tans throughout my reign.  Jamie and Tracey truly make me feel like part of their family every time that I come in!

Here's a photo of the amazing tan I received just last week.  Please visit www.skinloft.net and "like" their Facebook page.  They are located in the beautiful city of La Quinta, so contact them today at (760) 628-8776 to book your appointment for spray tans and much more!!

Make a Difference With Me!

Hi friends!

We are actively recruiting volunteers for the planning committee for our Coachella Valley Walk to End Alzheimer's, scheduled for March 2015.  There are so many ways to help on our committee, such as with obtaining sponsorships, being a part of the public relations/marketing team, registering Walk teams, and handling day-of Walk operations.  We have such a great group of people who are committed to ending Alzheimer's disease, so please contact me at MrsCAInternational2014@gmail.com for more information on how you can be a part of this dynamic committee!!! 

Also coming up is an Alzheimer's Association fundraising event called "Spa Soiree for a Cause" on Thursday, May 8th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at The Spa at Westin Mission Hills.  I will be there with bells on and what a great way to raise some much needed funds for the Association with some of your closest friends!

And just released early in March, our 2014 Facts and Figures from the Alzheimer's Association.  In this image alone, you can see, if nothing is done about preventing or curing Alzheimer's disease, the percentage change in the number of seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease will go from 12% in 2014, to 9% in 2020 to 45% in 2025!  We MUST end this disease!

Lots of sunshine from the desert,
Christy Van Der Westhuizen
Mrs. California International 2014

What a whirlwind weekend!

This weekend, Renier and I headed to Las Vegas to meet some VIPs of the Mrs. California International Pageant family, which are a few of our beloved sponsors.  First off, we met Raeanne Smith Ducca of Royal Image Boutique and tried on a few evening gown options for the Mrs. International Pageant.  It was my first time meeting Raeanne and she was extremely warm and funny!  You can tell she LOVES PAGEANTRY! So of course, we had lots to talk about!

She is gracious enough to sponsor my national competition evening gown, which I cannot wait to share with you at the pageant!  It's going to be GORGEOUS!!!

Raeanne and me after trying on a few evening gowns

After a morning of playing "dress up," I got to play "high fashion model," with Terry and Judy Wright.  This was Renier's favorite part of the day, as he is a freelance photographer and loves to speak "photo" with other photo buffs.  He and Terry were two peas in a pod and I could tell Renier was soaking up every second with Terry. They were talking lighting, camera lenses, and other photo jargon that I have no idea about! But Renier was loving it! Judy was just so welcoming (and talented to boot!) and I loved working with her too!  She made me glam, yet still myself, and helped me channel my inner supermodel to create some awesome photos!

Judy helping me get "all gussied up!"

Judy and me after a successful photo shoot!

Renier and I spent the remainder of our Las Vegas trip enjoying the sights and sounds of the strip!  We love to walk around, shop and people-watch!  After a few more trips to the outlet malls, we headed home to Palm Desert on Sunday night.  What a whirlwind weekend!

Also happening right now is the national Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum in Washington, DC. Nearly 1,000 Alzheimer’s Association advocates, from all 50 states, are delivering an important message to Congress: Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, with costs set to skyrocket in the years ahead. Over the next 40 years, caring for people with Alzheimer’s will cost our country $20 trillion, so we need to urge Congress to continue its commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s by increasing funding for Alzheimer’s research by $200 million in fiscal year 2015. 



For more information on how to be an Alzheimer's Association advocate, go to: http://www.alz.org/advocacy/take-action.asp.

Why I Walk to End Alzheimer's

There are so many reasons why I have walked in 15 Walk to End Alzheimer's in the past five years and I'd like to share them with you now.

I WALK for my beloved Grandma Jean Sayer, who lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease nearly two years ago.

Grandma Jean and me on her 90th birthday in 2012

I WALK for my husband's dear Aunt Heila, who lost her battle less than six months ago.

Hy husband, Renier, and me at the Coachella Valley Walk to End Alzheimer's in March 2014

I WALK for my future children, so that Alzheimer's disease is only a small part in their history books, not in their medical charts.

I WALK for the residents of Mission Hills at Rancho Mirage, who show me daily that even the smallest and briefest moments of happiness can make the biggest impact.

With some terrific Mission Hills residents

I WALK for the thousands of families I have met through five years of working in the senior living industry, who are in desperate need of guidance, love and support.

Let's Walk to End Alzheimer's!!

I WALK for the terrific staff members and volunteers of the Alzheimer's Association, who work tirelessly to get Alzheimer's disease and related dementia in the public spotlight, so that we can increase awareness, support and much needed funds.

Anne Gimbel, regional director of the Alzheimer's Association, me, and Lee Miller, committee member and Walk Team chairperson at the Palm Springs VillageFest.

And finally, I WALK FOR ALL, so that in 2050, when the researchers say our worldwide count for Alzheimer's disease will be past 115 million people, we will have said that we have successfully stopped this epidemic.

JOIN ME TODAY!  Visit www.alz.org for much more information about the Alzheimer's Association and the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

With hugs,
Christy Van Der Westhuizen
Mrs. California International 2014