As a board member of the Special Olympics International, it is such a tremendous loss having to say goodbye to our beloved founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Her dynamic vision, undeniable passion for the intellectually disabled and courage to change the world will be missed on a global level.
My introduction to the world of Special Olympics was through Bobby Shriver. I was asked to contribute to the Very Special Christmas album. What Child Is This was a perfect fit to a terrific musical idea that helped expose the Special Olympics movement to the masses.
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Mrs. Shriver on many occasions - at the world games in Japan, China, board meetings in DC and New York and I also sang for her at the Clinton White House. I even attended her 85th birthday at the Bush White House just a few years back. She was always interested in my interests, career and especially my children.
My greatest honor was portraying a mother whose son had Down's syndrome in the independent film My Brother. We had a special screening in DC that she attended with me. What an honor and what a legacy.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and the entire Special Olympics movement.
http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.com

Vanessa has teamed up with Allergan, Inc. as ambassador for the “BOTOX® Cosmetic: Express Success” charitable education campaign honoring working women across the country and benefiting not-for-profit Dress for Success, an organization that helps disadvantaged women succeed in the workforce. Vanessa is thrilled to support the campaign, which includes a $250,000 donation from Allergan to Dress for Success. “For me, putting my best face forward means finding ways to help other women express their own success, personally and professionally,” Vanessa said. “That’s why I’m so excited to be involved with the ‘BOTOX® Cosmetic: Express Success’ campaign benefiting Dress for Success. There is truly no better time to get involved than now, so I ask all women to join our efforts by pledging their support online, joining us at our local events and participating in our New York City launch event on June 30th.” To see Vanessa’s new campaign video and for more information on the “BOTOX® Cosmetic: Express Success” campaign, visit www.ExpressSuccessCampaign.com.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is approved for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65.

Important Safety Information
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections should not be given to people who have an infection where the physician proposes to inject. They should not be given to people who are known to be sensitive to any ingredient in BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Serious heart problems and serious allergic reactions have been reported rarely. If you think you are having an allergic reaction or other reactions, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing, call your doctor immediately. The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Additional Important Safety Information
The FDA on April 30, 2009, in its update to the early communication sent in 2008, gave the following recommendations:

• Understand that dosage strength (potency) expressed in “Units” or “U” are different among the botulinum toxin products; clinical doses expressed in units are not interchangeable from one botulinum toxin product to another.
• Be alert to and educate patients and caregivers about potential adverse events due to distant spread of botulinum toxin effects following local injections including: unexpected loss of strength or muscle weakness, hoarseness or trouble talking (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids.
• Understand that these adverse events have been reported as early as several hours and as late as several weeks after treatment.
• Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they develop any of these symptoms.

Please go to http://www.botoxcosmetic.com/resourc... for BOTOX® Cosmetic full product information.

Allergan © 2009 Allergan, Inc. Irvine, CA 92612. ® and ™ marks owned by Allergan, Inc.

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Check out my brand new video Just Friends exclusively at AOL Music! And come meet me for an album signing Tuesday, June 2nd at 7pm at Borders (Columbus Circle) in New York and Wednesday, June 3rd at 6pm at J&R (23 Park Row) in New York!