The depth and multifaceted dimensions of my platform, my deep-rooted position on community service, and the manner in which it all ties in to the plan I developed for my year of service as Miss VA 2009 exceed one page. My platform, A.L.L. for One, was envisioned to inspire others to action in an area of service for which they have a passion. Advocacy, Legislation, and Life-long involvement (A.L.L.) represent the three ways in which individuals can fully combat any issue or cause that is close to their hearts. My plan is to educate, inspire, and challenge all of the citizens of Virginia to on-going public service on several fronts while simultaneously exploring the various levels of synergy between my platform and both the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and Miss Virginia’s Right Decisions Right Now (RDRN) program.
At the core of my platform is advocacy. As an official advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, I have drafted an aggressive plan to address the media stressing the importance of research and finding a cure, including capitalizing on the public relations connections of the MVO to garner airtime with TV and radio stations. Whereas I have used my voice to speak out on behalf on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), I want to inspire others to find and use their voices to impact an issue or cause important to them. Strong advocacy will be the catalyst propelling interest in any cause whether community based or on a global scale.
Understanding that what truly drives change is legislation, I have already lobbied Congress and the Senate concerning increased funding of federal grants for stem cell research with promising potential to find a cure for AD. Citizens need to understand that they can impact government change by working through their legislatures and civic organizations.
An enlightening personal experience inspired my life-long commitment working with Alzheimer’s Disease. As a youth singing to an AD-stricken family member, I witnessed him recall and sing the lyrics to his favorite hymn, despite his diminished mental capacity. Consequently, much of my community service consists of using the power of music to reach AD patients. This area of community service is extremely personal because every individual embodies unique talents and characteristics to contribute to a specific cause. Whether its playing sports with special needs individuals, sitting with children so parents can be with siblings in the hospital, or mentoring an at-risk youth, the possibilities are limitless when it comes to helping others. The challenge is to inspire each one to take up a cause and share his/her own special gifts to the benefit of others. Developing a life-long commitment to service has the potential to change lives; both that of the servant and of those he or she serves.
My platform moves the Miss Virginia Organization forward by stressing volunteerism as an essential part of one’s life highlighting the service component of the four points of the Miss Virginia crown. There is also a clear connection between my platform and the MAO CMN platform. CMN encompasses nearly every illness that affects children. Since the voices of children often go unheard, it is necessary that they have an advocate as well as someone who will further legislation to provide health care for every child. One of Miss Virginia’s duties is to create and foster personal connections to children in CMN hospitals completing my A.L.L for One platform.
Advocacy, legislation, personal interaction with youth, and frank dialogue with students are the cornerstones of my Miss VA RDRN service action plan. Miss Virginia’s RDRN program focuses on communicating to kids the dangers associated with smoking. As Miss VA, I will be a role model both civically and personally. I hope to influence the youth of Virginia to be their strongest selves, and let nothing abate what they want to accomplish. Volunteerism promotes both a sense of accomplishment and connection that will develop stronger youth with the ability to stand strong in the face of negative peer pressure.
The worthy causes I will promote during my year of service will create a groundswell of community interest bringing tremendous gravity and underscored importance to the MVO. Advocacy, legislation, and life-long involvement provide a powerful framework for one person to make a difference in the world around him.
A Letter to President Obama:
May 27, 2009
Dear Mr. President,
I am well aware of all you have done concerning stem cell research, funding for the NIH, and promoting change altogether. Despite your early success in these areas, there is still much that needs to be done for the growing number of Alzheimer's patients in the U.S.
As your constituent, I urge you to address the grave threat that Alzheimer’s poses to the well-being and financial security of families by:
1. Increasing fiscal year 2010 Alzheimer research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $250 million with a goal of reaching $1 billion per year in funding in fiscal year 2011. This will accelerate the investment in medical research to develop the capability to delay and ultimately prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Establishing the Alzheimer’s Solutions Project Office within the federal government backed by an appropriate scale of investment. The Project Office will lead national efforts to reengineer dementia care delivery and, ultimately, prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Phasing out Medicare’s two-year waiting period, so individuals with Alzheimer’s are eligible for Medicare immediately after they receive their determination of disability. This will improve access to health coverage for individuals with Alzheimer’s as a part of health care reform.
I thank you and your colleagues for adding the significant funding increase of $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is my hope that a significant portion of these new dollars will be used to increase support for research to cure, prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease. The amount specifically for Alzheimer research is unknown at this time, but it will certainly not be enough to make up for 5 years of stagnant funding.
An estimated 5.2 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, including as many as 500,000 who are under age 65. Unless science finds an answer soon, 1 in 7 baby boomers face a future with Alzheimer's, bringing the total number of Alzheimer patients to 14 million.
I look forward to hearing from you on your progress to: increase funding for Alzheimer research as part of the FY2010 budget; establish the Alzheimer’s Solutions Project Office; and phase out Medicare’s two-year waiting period.
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth Crot
Chesapeake, Virginia
One of my letters to Congress & Senate:
To: Randy Forbes, John W. Warner, Jim Webb
From: Elizabeth Crot
As a constituent, I urge you to support $30 billion for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Fiscal Year 2008 omnibus appropriations bill. Funding NIH at this level would provide a $16 million increase for Alzheimer research – money that is critically needed to protect the 78 million baby boomers whose lives will soon be at risk for this deadly disease which has no cure or effective treatment. Although this funding level still falls short of what is needed to bring Alzheimer’s under control, it is the same amount that was included in the Labor/Health & Human Services/Education appropriations bill that was vetoed earlier this month.
Alzheimer’s places tremendous financial and emotional burdens on individuals affected by the disease and their family caregivers. Stopping Alzheimer’s isn’t just good social policy – it’s a sound economic investment as well. This year Alzheimer’s is costing Medicare $91 billion and Medicaid $21 billion. By 2015, the two programs will be spending $210 billion just on individuals with Alzheimer’s. The nation cannot afford to wait for a cure or better treatments. Immediate federal action is needed to ensure that scientists find treatments to delay, halt or reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Congress must finish the job it was elected to do. It is time to accelerate the fight against Alzheimer’s disease – NOW.
Sincerely
Elizabeth Crot