PRESS
RELEASE
June 26, 2008 |
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For
Immediate Release
Contact:
Jenna Edwards
Queen for a Day |
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Queen
for a Day Celebrates 8 Years
The Story of Queen for a Day |
MIAMI, FL - June 26, 2008 - Queen for a Day was
founded in 2000 by Jenna Edwards, a then
19-year-old beauty queen on a mission to make the world a better place,
with
the crowning of seven-year-old cancer patient Rhanda at the Children's
Miracle
Network Telethon in Jackson, Mississippi. Furthermore, in
collaboration with the local
children's hospital, a tea party was simultaneously held for other
patients of
that hospital, at which they were also crowned with tiaras Jenna won
from
competing in pageants as a child.
Complete with cake, candy, tea sandwiches, make-overs, and manicures,
Queen for a Day was born.
The back story:
As Jenna progressed through high school and early college,
she battled with self-esteem and self-image issues. Self-conscious and
extremely hard on herself, Jenna always asked God "why me?" Finally,
God
answered. He told her that her struggle was not in vain;, she would use
her
experience to help others. Standing on the steps of her college dorm,
Jenna had
an epiphany-she would one day lead a non-profit organization helping
young
women dealing with similar issues. Without a clue as to how to start,
she
laughed off the idea. That was in January of her freshman year. It was
in June
when she met Rhanda and hosted her first tea party and a year and a
half later
before she realized she was living the epiphany-she was leading a
non-profit
organization helping young girls with cancer feel better about
themselves
despite the less-than-desirable physical conditions. As a result, her
own
battle with her self-image became non-existent. This experience taught
her that
by improving someone else's situation, her situation fixed itself.
Jenna is now
a strong believer in the power of kindness, the impact of simple
details, and
the connection we all share as humans.
As word spread after the original QFAD tea party, women around the
country expressed interest
in hosting QFAD tea parties in their own area. Jenna and her mother
organized
themselves and incorporated QFAD. Within 4 months of incorporation,
QFAD held 3
other local chapters in Los Angeles,
Chicago, and Buffalo.
After being featured in a 2 page article by People
Magazine, The Oprah Winfrey Show
invited Jenna to appear on an episode where Oprah's Angel Network
donated
$10,000 to QFAD. With that exposure, QFAD grew from 7 to 35 local
chapters and
developed a partnership with Reach for a Dream, a wish-granting
foundation in South Africa.
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Starting as an epiphany on her college campus,
QFAD now sponsors 25 local chapters and maintains a relationship with
Reach for a Dream in South Africa.
Over the years, over 2200 children have been touched through the
programs.
In addition to the original QFAD tea party, the organization
also hosts Heroes, a program based on bravery and courage for the boys.
Local
firefighters and police officers are invited to attend, providing real
life
heroes and role models. Patients receive firefighter hats, badges,
tattoos,
face paint, and toy figurines. Not only are the patients impacted by
the visit,
but our service men and women are honored through the program.
Queen for a Day provides emotional and psychosocial support
to girls fighting cancer. Local chapters work directly with facilities
that
treat pediatric cancer, including hospitals, clinics, Ronald McDonald
House,
Gilda's Club, and Target House. The direct impact of the program
influences the
psychological well-being of the child. Despite the IVs, wires, x-rays,
spinal
taps, and medication, children deserve to feel the weightlessness of
their
youth. QFAD's goal is to remind them of the laughter, smiles, and
energy they
once had. As a complement to medical treatment, QFAD fills a gap for
the
medical community. As doctors treat the illness, QFAD treats the child.
Thank you volunteers -- thank you donors -- thank you local directors
-- we would not be where we are today without you and your support.
Here's to another 8 years and beyond!
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Queen for a
Day is a registered trademark of Queen for a Day.
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