October 1, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Mayfield Minute - October 1, 2023 - Mayfield Minute

Good Morning!

One in eight women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Medical experts estimate 297,790 women and 2,800 men, in America will be diagnosed with the disease by the end of 2023.

Early detection, technology advancements, improvement in medical treatments, and long term research have contributed to a five-year survival rate of 99 percent when breast cancer is diagnosed early and in localized stages. There are currently over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the US.

Awareness of the facts and statistics remain the keys to empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their breast health.

Since 1982, the Susan G. Komen (SGK) Foundation has invested over $1.1 billion in breast cancer research. The SGK Foundation reports that they receive an average of 4,774 inquiries from Floridians every week seeking help, information, and resources about the disease.

In an effort to raise funds for advanced research, provide care and recovery, unify communities to take action, and celebrate survivors, the American Cancer Society and the SGK Foundation, regularly hold “Making Strides” and “Race for a Cure” events.

The next local event will be sponsored by the Health First Cancer Institute and is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th at 8:00 a.m. at The Avenue Viera (2261 Town Center Avenue) in Melbourne.

To register or for more information, click here.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Statewide Update

Florida Senate Interim Committee Meetings Begin Next Week

In advance of the 2024 Regular Session (January 9th - March 15th), the Florida Senate will begin our first week of Interim Committee Meetings on Monday, October 9th. The remaining 2023 interim committee meetings will take place the weeks of October 16th, November 6th, November 13th, December 4th, and December 11th.

I'm honored to continue serving as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules in addition to my assignment on the following committees:

Please continue to send your concerns and recommendations to me at mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov or call my district office 321-409-2025.

If you are planning to travel to Tallahassee during committee weeks or the regular session, please contact my district office.

Florida Takes Action Against Four Florida Schools with Ties to the Chinese Communist Party

Last week, Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) to suspend the availability of school choice scholarships to four schools that have direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“The Chinese Communist Party is not welcome in the state of Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “We will not put up with any attempt to influence students with a communist ideology or allow Floridians’ tax dollars to go to schools that are connected to our foreign adversaries.”

The suspended schools are not in Indian River County or Brevard County. This action is aligned with Governor DeSantis’ recently enacted educational reforms to protect all Florida students from the Chinese Communist Party including:

Blocking access to TikTok on educational institution servers and devices.
Prohibiting state colleges and universities from accepting any grant from or participating in any agreement or partnership with any college or university based in China or another foreign country of concern, unless approved by the Board of Governors or State Board of Education.
Prohibiting state colleges and universities and their employees and representatives from soliciting or accepting any gift in their official capacities from a college or university based in China or another foreign country of concern, or foreign principal.
Banning “Confucius Institutes,” which serve as propaganda centers for the Chinese Communist Party.

Constituent of the Week

Shawn Sima

Our Constituent of the Week is Shawn Sima, Impact Director, for Who We Play For, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to eliminate preventable sudden cardiac arrest in young people.

Mr. Sima is a Retired Air Force Officer and has been a Physician Assistant for 24 years. After his retirement from the Air Force, he accepted a position with the VA Orthopedic Clinic in Viera where has worked for the last 10 years.

After the near death of his daughter, Lexi, due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), Mr. Sima decided to divide his time between the VA Orthopedic Clinic and the lifesaving mission of Who We Play For (WWPF).

Mr. Sima said Lexi was healthy, athletic, and never had a medical problem. After leaving a softball game to prepare for cheerleading tryouts, Lexi went to the gym and within 30 seconds of normal running, she collapsed.

Fortunately, running behind her was a retired member of the Air Force who had just completed a recently required CPR training course for his company. By other graces of God, as Mr. Sima says, the gym owner had recently changed the batteries and pads on the AED machine, and that night, there also happened to be several non-medical people working out at the gym. Mr. Sima says the combination of all of those factors saved his daughter’s life.

Lexi was flown to Orlando Regional Hospital, placed in a medically induced coma, and after she recovered, she received a defibrillator pacemaker. Throughout this harrowing experience, especially as a Physician’s Assistant himself, Mr Sima, says he realized over the thousands of school physicals he has performed on students, there is a greater need for our kids to have an EKG as part of their school physicals. Also, certified CPR trained professionals and AEDs machines are essential for everywhere kids and athletes are. Further, children and athletes need to have access to heart health awareness and screening exams regularly.

Mr. Sima says that on average only one of 10 survive an SCA episode. He remains determined to advocate with the team at Who We Play For, in honor of Lexi’s recovery, and for Rafe Maccarone, who tragically lost his life to SCA.

Rafe Maccarone, was a superior soccer player at Cocoa Beach High School with no known medical conditions. He collapsed unexpectedly during regular warm-ups due to and unexpected SCA episode. There was no one with CPR certification nearby, AEDs were behind lock administrative doors, and ambulatory services were delayed for 20 minutes.

While Rafe did not survive, his story and his inspiration lives on. Who We Play For was established in Rafe Maccarone’s honor, and the organization is now one of the biggest heart screening non-profits in the United States, and has saved the lives of over 250 kids.

District 19 is grateful for the Maccarone and Sima families for establishing and advancing heart health awareness, EKG’s, and screening exams for young athletes to prevent and end more unforgettable tragedies. One family's loss, or even one family's scare, is one too many.

District Highlights

Port Canaveral's 2023 Economic Contributions to Florida

In the latest edition of the Waypoint newsletter, Port Canaveral released their State, Central Florida, and local economic impacts and highlighted the growth of the cruise and cargo industries.

State Impact: $6.1 billion in total economic impact including 42,700 jobs

Central Florida Impact: $3 billion direct impact including 22,729 in direct employment

Local Impact: $2 billion in total cruise tourism expenditures including 17,038 in direct employment

In addition to the opening of new cargo berth/terminals for freight shipments, the Port also recently announced that Royal Caribbean, Inc, Disney Cruise Lines, and Celebrity will homeport the following new ships at Port Canaveral:

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and Allure of the Seas
Disney Treasure, Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy
Celebrity Equinox

On Thursday, October 19th Cape Canaveral will host their 13th annual "Reverse Trade Show" from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Cruise Terminal 1 (9050 Discover Road) in Cape Canaveral. This is a unique and free once per year opportunity for local vendors and entrepreneurs to highlight their businesses, products, and services to the industry.

Past participants include: Canaveral Port Authority, the cites of Titusville, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, and Brevard County Sheriff's Office and the School Board of Brevard County, Eastern Florida State College, NASA, and Orlando Melbourne International Airport among others.

For more information click here or contact 321-394-3277.

Upcoming Events

Brevard County's Great Floating Pumpkin Rescue

Brevard County County Central Area Parks and Recreation will host the fourth annual Great Pumpkin Rescue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 7th at McLarty Aquatic Center (790 Barton Boulevard) in Rockledge.

Participants will be given a number which corresponds to a floating pumpkin in the pool. Once you rescue your pumpkin, you will be directed to a decoration station. The decoration contest will begin at 7:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded by age group.

Registration in advance is required as the event is expected to sell out. Please contact 321-633-1874 or email debbie.bowling@brevardfl.gov. The cost is $6.00 for contest participants and $2.00 for those swimming only.

Serene Harbor’s "Purses with a Purpose"

Serene Harbor’s annual “Purses with a Purpose” event will take place on Wednesday, October 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Space Coast Convention Center (301 Tucker Lane) in Cocoa. The annual event is dedicated to the empowerment and support for survivors of domestic violence.

Mindy from Lite Rock 99.3 will be the emcee, Jen Lee, host of the “I Need Blue” podcast will serve as guest speaker, and Sheriff Ivey will be the auctioneer of exclusive experience packages, luxury items, jewelry, and unique opportunities.

“Purses with a Purpose” will showcase a wide range of vendors offering accessories, clothing, special gifts, and more to support local business, and Serene Harbor, which has served Brevard County for other 30 years providing 24/7 confidential support for domestic violence survivors and their families.

A limited quantity of tickets remain available at $55.00 and can be purchased here.

Local October 14th Events Will Celebrate our Past, Present and Future Military

The US Navy's 247th Birthday Fundraiser will take place at the Cape Canaveral VW Post 10131 (106 Longpoint Road) in Cape Canaveral at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14th. The event is hosted by the the Navy League's Cape Canaveral Council and for a $15 fee, participants will receive a full menu of BBQ chicken, pulled pork, hamburgers, and a variety of side dishes.

The celebration of the next Space Coast Honor Flight Mission to DC will take place on Saturday, October 14th at 2:15 a.m. at Wickham Park Senior Center in Melbourne. Honor Flight provides Veterans who served in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, and other wars and conflicts, to be honored with a special flight to Washington, DC to visit the memorials and monuments in recognition of their service and sacrifice.

If you are interested in attending the send-off and return events, please contact 321-877-1828 or click here for updates on the Space Coast Honor Flight schedule. The organization remains grateful to those who support the send-off and return events in honor of America's heroes.

The Junior ROTC Raider Challenge Meet will take place Saturday, October 14th at the Veterans Memorial Center (400 S Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island on Saturday from 8:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Most local high school ROTC teams, with support from the Veterans Memorial Center and the Military Officers Association of America Good Deeds Foundation, will compete in organized events. There is no fee to attend and show your support for these upcoming military leaders.

This event is expected to reach capacity, please RSVP in advance here.