Celebrating Hope for Rare Diseases

Last night I had the pleasure of attending NTSAD's annual Tay-Sachs benefit at Genzyme Center. As many of you know I also work at Genzyme researching rare diseases, so I was very honored when they asked me to attend the event!  A small community of people gathered at Genzyme Center to raise funds to give hope to patients and families with Tay-Sachs disease.  Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal genetic disorder caused by the absence of a critical enzyme, Hex-A, which leads to progressive neurological disorders. While there is currently no cure for Tay-Sachs, Hope is on the Horizon (which was also the theme for the night :) ). The NTSAD (National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases)  has hopes to raise enough money to start the first clinical trial in 2012. Last night I met families who lost their children to this devastating disease years ago when there was no hope for a cure. Today there is hope with gene therapy, but they are still in needs of funds to further this research.  I also met two very special young girls who were diagnosed with an late-onset form of this disease and are waiting for a cure.  If you would like to donate to help fund the first human clinical trial please visit http://www.ntsad.org/.

         with Dan Kirschner and Skip Irving             at Genzyme Center in Cambridge

                with an NTSAD family  

                           with Randy Barry

Yours,

Alida

Miss Massachusetts USA

Calendar for a Cure

Time flies, it’s hard to believe it’s already October! I remember getting ready for Miss MA USA this time last year- with Katie Boyd whipping me into shape! J  I love this time of year and I’m excited that October is National Breast Cancer awareness month. I was really excited when former Miss Rhode Island, Julianna Strout asked me to shoot a calendar to benefit Susan G. Komen with her at MediaBoss Studio.  5 of us took a day to shoot a calendar, which will be available soon to purchase, and all proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer.

with Rachel Vendetti, Julianna Strout (former Miss RI), Amanda Strout, and Monica Pietrzak (former Miss CT USA),

Thank you

It's been about a month since I've been back from Miss USA and I just want to take a few moments to say a Big Thank You to everyone who helped, loved, and supported me on that incredible journey! It was an experience I will never forget and one that I am having trouble even finding the right words to describe it. I was in awe of how many flowers, cards, and notes of encouragement that were sent to me while I was in Las Vegas- from my directors, sponsors, friends, coach, and family, thank you so much. It seemed like every evening when we met at the hospitality suite there was a card or note or flower arrangement with my name on it! It meant and means the world to me that I have such a caring support system!
I know so many of you are dying to know the gushy details...how were the girls...who did you room with...what was it like being on stage...how were the interviews...did you meet Trump? The list goes on and on and I could write for days (so I guess it's a good thing I kept a journal while I was out there). To answer a few for now, I had so much fun meeting all the girls and getting to experience different parts of New York and Las Vegas with them!
Most of us started our journey on a media tour in NYC where we greeted the US Troops and helped put bicycles together for USO fleet week, went on Kelly and Reggis Live, appeared on The Today Show, interviewed for E!, toured all of NYC on a sightseeing bus, and of course met the man himself, Mr. Trump!
From there a few of us went out a couple days early to shoot with Fadil for a CHI magazine shoot! I was super excited that I was selected and cannot wait to see the magazine :) 
I couldn't have asked for a better roommate, LacyJane Miss NH USA! She made the whole journey about a million times better, we hit it off right away and constantly found ourselves staying awake to reminisce and laugh over the days activities rather than sleep the 4 precious hours we had...She's such an awesome person, if you're lucky enough to know her as your friend you know exactly what I'm talking about :)
It's far to much to sum up here but I'll give you a "day in the life" if you will...hair and make up with CHI and Rain Cosmetics, photoshoots with Sherri Hill and Fadil,  interviews with NBC, Giuliana Rancic, and All Access, Best Buddies event, endless buffet meals in which we cleaned them out of asparagus and chicken, touring all over Las Vegas, shows, pool parties, and lots of rehearsals! It truly was a blessing and I'm so excited for the next Miss MA USA 2012 who gets to experience this once in  a lifetime opportunity! I will give her this one piece of advice: As tired as you will be every night, take 2 minutes and  journal about your experience each day because it will change each day and before you know it, it's gone. You get one shot to do it, so make it your best.

May Is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

May is the National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Did you know that over 200,000 people in the US are diagnosed with brain cancer each year?  Please help me raise awareness, funds, and find a cure for brain cancer today.

I’m on a mission to put Glioblastoma Multiforme- the most aggressive and malignant brain tumor- on the global awareness map and discover a treatment and cure.  My uncle is in the fight for his life and I won’t stop fighting for him until we find a cure.

This past weekend I had the privilege of celebrating survival and hope with 300 other people whose lives have been affected by brain tumors at the annual Miles For Hope 5K walk/run in Boston.  It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many hopeful people who shared their stories and support for others.

If you would like to donate or find a walk near you please visit www.milesforhope.org

Yours, 

Alida

Miss Massachusetts USA

Fashion Photoshoot in Boston!

Just finished shooting in Boston, check out the video!

AMHA Awards Ceremony

I want to give a special thanks to Nancy Caisse and Suzy Lucine for inviting me to the American Morgan Horse Association Awards Ceremony in Boston. It was such an honor to be a part of this special event as I've been a long time equestrian and Morgan horse enthusiast! I met so many wonderful people including the legendary Eitan Beth Halachmy, the founder of Cowboy Dressage and trainer of many Morgan champions, Mary Jean Vasiloff who was inducted into the breeders' hall of fame, Harry and Carolyn Sebring (AMHA president) and many more!  Looking forward to competing in the ring this summer and seeing you all again next year in Orlando!

Featured on USEF!

Harry and Carolyn Sebring

AMHA President

Me and my Dad

girls from AMHA youth

Oscar Night in Boston!

I had such a great time with my stylist and date, Neil Gannon at the Oscar Night held at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston to support the Ellie Fund!

I felt like I was 16 again getting ready to go to the prom, except this time I had an exceptional team helping me get ready instead of me attempting to throw a couple bobby pins in my hair and apply hot pink lipstick (hey, it matched my hot pink gown at the time!).  The lovely Rita Sorrentino of Channel did my make up, Neil styled my hair (and somehow creatively infused a decoration into it!) and I wore a gorgeous turquoise gown from Newbury 211. Here is where I’m supposed to say you can go to Newbury 211 and buy it, but I secretly want to buy it for myself so we’ll have to race to the store ;)

We stepped out onto the red carpet and immediately felt glamorous and giddy all in the same breath. I met some wonderful people and ran into a few people I already knew! I ran into one of my judges who crowned me Miss Massachusetts USA, Executive Chef Jason Santos. He keeps insisting that I come to his restaurant (Gargoyle’s) so if you’re reading this Jason, I’m holding you to it J.

I met Melissa McMeekin, Erica McDermott and Mickey O’Keefe from The Fighter,  Chris Lambton from the Bachelorette, and Jonathan Soroff from the Improper Bostonian! Wonderful night, as you can see from the photos!!

Actor, Sean Doherty

Executive Chef of Gargoyle's, Jason Santos

Stylist Neil Gannon of LeTete Boston

Chris Lambton, The Bachelorette