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When internationally
acclaimed jazz musician
Jeanette Brantley was
alive she dazzled audiences
and was a permanent
fixture in the area—
having also operated a
restaurant in Sunny South
Dallas. She died from
ovarian cancer in 2006.
Friday morning the
Jeannette Brantley Cancer
Research Fund (JBCRF)
will hold its first fundraiser
luncheon focusing on a
disease that, according to
the National Cancer Institute,
will be responsible
for more than 15,000
deaths in 2007.
Equally disturbing are
statistics that with many
gynecologic cancers being
preventable and treatable
if detected in the early
stages, there are predictions
that for 2007 there
will be 22,430 new cases
of ovarian cancer, and
cervical and uterine
cancers are the most
common killers of women
in all age groups.
If Rachel Smith has
anything to say about that
statistics, the numbers will
be considerably lower.
Ms. Smith is known for
being talented and smart,
but equally important she
says, is her commitment to
community service and
embracing the causes she
is championing as Miss
USA.
One of those causes is
health and Ms. Smith
stresses the need to stay
physically fit and eat the
right foods.
“My platform is breast
and ovarian cancer
awareness,” she said
during a recent phone
interview. “Nutrition
plays a big part in being
healthy. Healthier eating
and working out can help
combat the issue.”
Citing statistics that call
attention to the need for women to watch what they eat, Ms. Smith
said it is also important to get examined.
“Catching things in the early stages is so
important,” she said, adding that eating
right, maintaining some type of exercise
regimen and working to avoid becoming
obese or overweight are all also necessary.
Born in Panama, the 5ft. 11-inch beauty
queen says she is enjoying her reign and the
opportunity to share her platform because
“you never know when it will affect
someone you know.”
Since she is constantly traveling and
doing interviews, although “busy, busy,
busy,” she says she is never too tired to
discuss something as critical as health,
something she is intimately aware of.
Both of Ms. Smith’s parents are in the
medical field and as a child she recalled
going on missions with them. With both
parents in the military, she has lived in
many places, yet always found time to
volunteer. The spirit of philanthropy that
was passed down from her parents, as well
as their concern for mankind, basically
shaped her life even as a young child and
enabled her to receive a full tuition scholarship
based on her community service activities
and academic achievements.
“Philanthropy is a big part of my life and
giving back is in my blood,” pointed out the
aspiring broadcaster, who graduated Magna
Cum Laude with a journalism degree from
Belmont University in Nashville, TN. “To
one whom much is given, much is
expected.”
You can expect to see more and more of
Ms. Smith in the future.
Currently starring in the MTV reality
show, Pageant Place; ultimately the 4th
runner-up for Miss Universe said she would
like to use her degree to work in television
news and her influence to help others.
One day, she said, she would like to go
back to Tennessee and “restore and
refurbish” the Boys and Girls Club there in
Clarkville. “Those kids played a huge part
in my life. My mission is to give back to
them.”
But right now, she’s focusing on helping
non profit organizations working to provide
physical and emotional support to women
undergoing treatment for uterine, cervical
and ovarian cancer, and those participating
in clinical and research trials.
“It’s important to stress over and over
again, early detection, proper eating and
staying physically fit. That’s the message.”
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