Congratulations to Kentucky 's First Lady, Glenna Fletcher!

Kentucky 's First Lady, Glenna Fletcher, was one of eleven women to receive the International Women's Forum – Women Who Make a Difference Award. From the day her husband was elected Governor of Kentucky in 2003, Glenna has been making a difference in our state through her leadership in health and literacy initiatives. Glenna said, “I wanted to make a difference as First Lady,” and making an impact on her state is what she has effectively done. With Kentucky ranked as the 5 th fattest state, second highest for physical inactivity and about ¼ of our preschoolers and ½ of our sixth graders being overweight, Glenna, a former nurse, helped to establish the first ever first ever Healthy Kentucky campaign. (In fact, Glenna's Get Healthy Kentucky ! Initiative was featured in KHF in 2004). Glenna initiated her Celebration of Hope campaign which encourages women to celebrate their birthdays by getting a mammogram. Further, Glenna initiated the first statewide Wear Pink to Work Day on October 10, 2006 to raise the awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection. In addition, to promoting breast cancer awareness, Glenna has also devoted her time and energy to supporting the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign and the Women Build project of Habitat for Humanity. One of her most successful programs is Read for Success, which provides short-term, intensive instruction for struggling primary-school students. Glenna “believes that strong bodies and strong minds go hand-in-hand.” Glenna serves as special adviser to the Healthy Kentuckians 2010 effort which has been created to address such issues as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and the importance of prevention. Glenna is the Honorary Chair for the 2007 Humana National Senior Games which will be held in Louisville in June, 2007. (Read our ongoing columns regarding the 2007 Senior Games in Louisville ). In addition, she serves as honorary chair for the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, Kentucky Commission on Women and the Historical Properties Advisory Council. WOW! She's one busy first lady. As you can see her role of First Lady isn't just an honorary position but it's fulltime job that she takes seriously. But she also has another job that she takes seriously, too. She's the mother of two and the grandmother of four. What a great role model for Kentuckians we have in Glenna, as a mother, wife, grandmother, nurse, and promoter of health! Congratulations, to my friend Glenna, on your international award, your hard work for all of us and the fact that you are truly making a difference in Kentucky !

Congratulations to Mayor Jerry Abramson!

Normally I would not discuss politics in my publisher's letter, but I did want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mayor Abramson on his re-election. Mayor Abramson has been very supportive and proactive in promoting healthy lifestyles in our community. From the hiring of Dr. Troutman to direct the Metro Health Department, to the formation of the Mayor's Healthy Hometown Movement, to supporting the development of the Bike Friendly Louisville and first Bike Summit, to helping to achieve Smoke FREE Louisville 's agenda, Mayor Abramson has been involved in creating a healthier environment for our community. But it's not just an act, he walks the talk! Congratulations!

My friend, Cheryl Brawner, Lost Her Battle with Leukemia

Cheryl Brawner, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. I initially met Cheryl through the Louisville Bicycle Club. She was an avid cyclist and racer since the early 90's, In fact, Cheryl was one of the first women racers in Louisville . In addition, Cheryl coached for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team-in-Training program. Cheryl was a passionate advocate for cyclist's rights in our community. In fact, she served as VP of both Advocacy and Racing for the Louisville Bicycle Club. Cheryl also served on the board of Bicycling for Louisville , the Metropolitan Louisville Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Louisville Bicycle Task Force. I was able to get to know Cheryl on a more personal level through the LBC YaYa Sisterhood. Cheryl will be missed by many.

In fact, the feature story this month is about Tim Hamburger. Tim has been raising money and awareness about leukemia and lymphoma for years. He recently moved to Louisville as a district manager for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and has started training with Louisville 's own Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. He has already raised a total of almost $10,000 with the help of his wife Sharon, and two young boys Jack Matthew and Luke. You, too, can make a difference. For more information about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training contact, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 584-8490 or www.leukemia-lymphoma.org .

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah from the Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine Staff to all of our readers and advertisers!