The Mayfield Minute - October 5, 2026 | | |
National Breast Cancer Awareness
National Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed annually in October. Sadly, one in eight women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Excluding skin cancer, this devastating disease remains the most common cancer among women, accounting for 32% of newly diagnosed cancers. According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, “About every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.”
It is estimated that by the end of the year, 42,140 women and 530 men in the United States will lose their lives to breast cancer. While these statistics are grim, there is hope. Through the tireless efforts of doctors, researchers, and non-profit organizations significant advancements have been made in prevention, early detection, and treatment. As a result of these efforts, from 1989 to 2023, the breast cancer death rate has declined by 44%.
Last year, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, President Trump said, “My administration urges all Americans to prioritize their health by knowing their family history and other risk factors, using methods of early detection, and implementing preventative protocols and lifestyle change that may reduce cancer risk. We also commit to the continued prioritization of research and medical advancements that accelerate cures. This month, we rejoice with our Nation’s four million breast cancer survivors, we pray for those who are fighting for remission and healing, and we mourn with all who have lost a precious loved one.”
Since 2024, I have had the honor of serving as a member of the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative, which supports cancer research with targeted state funding. Over the last four years, the Florida Legislature has allocated more than $210 million for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund. This continued commitment provides grants to support innovative approaches to cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
The Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) recommends that all women over the age of 50 get a mammogram once every two years. To determine if you are eligible for a free or low-cost exam through the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, call (321) 984-4702.
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 at (321) 409-2025. My staff and I are here to serve you!
| | Floridian Making an Impact | | |
Major Luke Delaney, NASA Astronaut
Last Thursday, I had the honor of attending NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 launch at Kennedy Space Center, where four astronauts, including Central Florida native Major Luke Delaney, began their journey to the International Space Station.
Major Delaney was born in Miami but considers DeBary to be his hometown. Following his graduation from Deltona High School in 1998, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his initial enlistment, he completed Naval Aircrew Candidate School, and was selected to be a KC-130 Navigator. In this role, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
During his enlisted military service, Major Delaney was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, which allowed him to earn his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Florida before commissioning as a Marine Corps Officer. After commissioning, he completed his flight training and earned his Naval Aviator wings. In 2013, he was selected for the United States Naval Test Pilot School.
He retired from the Marine Corps in 2020 and joined NASA Langley Research Center as a research pilot supporting airborne science missions. Throughout his career, Major Delaney executed over 400 combat sorties and accrued a total more than 3,900 flight hours on 48 models of jet, prop, and rotary wing aircraft.
In 2024, Major Delaney completed Astronaut Candidate School and was selected as one of the four astronauts for the Crew-13 mission.
Major Delaney still resides in DeBary, with his wife, Tracey, and their two daughters.
I commend Major Delaney for his sevice in the United States Marine Corps. I wish him and all the astronauts a safe and productive mission!
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White House Launches America.gov to Streamline Access to Government Services
Last week, President Trump announced the launch of America.gov, a single gateway for Americans to access Federal government information or services online.
According to the White House, Americans spend about 10 billion hours each year dealing with federal paperwork, understanding government jargon, repeatedly entering the same log-in credentials, and proving their identity.
America.gov is a user-friendly website which leverages advanced artificial intelligence technologies to provide a one-stop shop for Americans to ask questions in plain English and obtain clear answers from official U.S. government sources without toggling between multiple websites.
Additionally, the President has directed his administration to integrate the new website with Login.gov to allow Americans to use a single sign-on to access federal services and information. Americans who do not want to use the new tools will continue to have access to traditional phone, mail, in-person, and agency website services.
The website includes common sense guardrails to protect Americans' privacy. I commend the Trump Administration for ensuring that the platform will have no access to IRS tax filing data or national security information, and for placing strict privacy rules on access to personal data.
To read the White House Fact Sheet, click here. To access America.gov, click here
Florida Announces New Driver Licenses and ID Cards and Federal Government Announces New Passports
On September 30th, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) began issuing a newly designed Florida driver license and identification card. The new cards feature new security measures and new references to Florida’s historical and cultural heritage.
“Florida continues to set the standard for securing credentialing. Our last major redesign introduced high-security features that nearly doubled the fraud protection measures, significantly strengthening the integrity of Florida’s credentials,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner.
Florida residents are not required to replace their existing driver license or ID card. All currently valid credentials will remain valid until they expire and will be phased out over time.
Additionally, at President Trump's recent announcement of the new America.gov platform, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled the design for the 2028 U.S. Passport and announced a comprehensive overhaul to the process for Americans to obtain or renew passports.
Beginning next year, the U.S. State Department will begin leveraging new secure tools such as America.gov and Login.gov to allow Americans to apply for their first passport entirely online. The new process involves no printing of forms, no going to the drugstore to have your photo taken, no appointment, and no line. You tell America.gov what you’re trying to do, and it walks you through every single step and tells you exactly what comes next.
“Our goal is to make passports and passport cards accessible to more Americans.” Secretary Rubio stated, “Because a United States passport says something very simple, and it says that anywhere in the world. It says, “I am an American and my country stands behind me.” American citizenship is a sacred thing, and the symbols and documents that uphold it should reflect that. And that’s precisely what the new United States passport will do.”
Thank you to Secretary Rubio and to Executive Director Kerner for working to make government credentials more accessible, secure, and better designed than ever before for American citizens.
To view the new Florida driver's license design, click here, and to view the new U.S. passport design, click here.
Florida CFO Announces “Claim Your Cash Florida” Initiative
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia recently announced the launch of Claim Your Cash Florida, a statewide public awareness campaign designed to help more Floridians recover abandoned property held by the state.
The initiative introduces a new name and website, ClaimYourCashFL.gov, replacing the former Florida Treasure Hunt site. While the program’s appearance has changed, the underlying abandoned property program continues operating under the same state laws and verification requirements.
According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, more than $3 billion in abandoned property is currently being safeguarded and is available for rightful owners to claim. The state estimates that approximately one in five Floridians has unclaimed property which can include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, insurance benefits, utility deposits, refunds, stocks, and other financial assets.
During the last fiscal year, more than $800 million was returned to rightful owners.
Searches and claims are completely free and can be viewed here.
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Ms. Lisa Faye Crites
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, it is my honor to highlight Ms. Lisa Faye Crites, as my Constituent of the Week. Ms. Crites is an award-winning entrepreneur and author, patented inventor, medical journalist, and media strategist.
Ms. Crites is a native of Stoddard County, Missouri, and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Murray State University in Kentucky in 1989. Throughout her career, Ms. Crites additionally earned an MBA and a master’s degree in digital marketing and e-commerce from the University of Barcelona, European School of Business in Spain. In 2025, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Media Communications from Kennedy University of Baptist.
In 1997, she began her career in journalism as a health and medical television anchor for Central Florida News 13. She went on to serve in television anchor and reporting roles for various networks including America’s Health Network, WKMG Local 6, the Travel Channel, and PBS. In 2001, Ms. Crites transitioned to corporate media relations and crisis communications in the healthcare industry.
In April 2009, Ms. Crites was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41 and underwent a double mastectomy. During recovery she faced repeated infections and complications requiring multiple surgeries and months of hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Her surgeon instructed her to keep surgical drain sites dry to reduce infection risk, leaving her to shower in a plastic trash bag, an experience she found undignified and impractical.
Determined to create a better option, she worked with her brother and family members on prototypes for a water-resistant, wearable medical device which became the SHOWER SHIRT®. In 2010, she founded The Shower Shirt Co., LLC, secured a trademark, refined multiple prototypes while still in treatment, and obtained a U.S. Patent. The SHOWER SHIRT® launched commercially in 2011 and is used by post-mastectomy patients as well as those with other chest procedures involving drains, ports, or catheters. It has been distributed through mastectomy boutiques, hospitals, Amazon, and Walmart among other retailers, and internationally to more than a dozen countries.
In recognition for her entrepreneurism and her innovative invention benefitting millions of women, Ms. Crites was selected as the 2015 winner of the InnovateHER award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. That same year, she received a Patient Innovation Award from the University of Portugal’s School of Business & Economics. In 2024, she was nominated for the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame and has spoken on patent innovation strategies for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Although, Ms. Crites sold her company in 2025, she continues to be a staunch advocate for breast cancer patients and survivors. She recently authored Beautifully Unbroken, a Life Changing Invention Born of Loss, Cancer, Courage & Faith. The book was an instant AMAZON Best Seller for New Releases winning an International Literary Achievement Honor within two months of publication. Proceeds from each book sold will be donated to breast cancer support groups and nonprofit organizations that support breast cancer patients.
Ms. Crites has served on many local boards, including the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, Digital Arts for Autism, Space Coast Early Steps, National Breast Friends, and the weVENTURE Women’s Business Center Advisory Board at the Florida Institute of Technology. For nearly 30 years, she has volunteered with the Central Florida Second Harvest Food Bank and the Central Florida Homeless Coalition.
On behalf of SD 19, I commend Lisa Crites for her extraordinary courage in sharing her personal breast cancer experience and her compassion in creating the SHOWER SHIRT®. In doing so, she has brought comfort and dignity to those suffering devastating diagnoses such as breast cancer and post-surgery complications.
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NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 Mission
As mentioned above in the Floridian Making an Impact section, I had the incredible opportunity to join NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Kennedy Space Center Director Brian Hughes for the successful launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
This mission transported Mission Commander Jessica Watkins (NASA), Mission Pilot Luke Delaney (NASA), and Mission Specialists Joshua Kutryk (Canadian Space Agency) and Sergey Teteryatnikov (Roscosmos).
“During the mission, the crew will help researchers treat heart disease and Parkinson’s disease by studying human stem-cell derived tissues that can help improve medicine, disease modeling, and pharmaceutical testing,” said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program. “They also will explore crop production, which is important for longer-duration spaceflight missions, help us better understand blood flow abnormalities that we see in space, and test new diagnostic medical equipment for monitoring crew health.”
Congratulations to NASA and the private industry partners who made this launch a success. Good luck to the crew as they conduct their scientific research aboard the ISS.
90th Space Coast Honor Flight
On Saturday, October 17th, the Space Coast Honor Flight (SCHF) will embark on its 90th flight to Washington, DC with 50 Veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the Iraq War on board.
The whirlwind one-day itinerary begins at 4:00 a.m. when the Veterans arrive at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) Welcome Center for a “Send Off” ceremony. Upon landing in Washington D.C., the Veterans will spend the day touring the city, visiting war memorials, and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
They are expected to return to the MLB Airport between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., where they will be greeted with a “Welcome Home” ceremony.
The public is highly encouraged to attend the “Send Off” or “Welcome Home” ceremonies to show appreciation for our war heroes. Ceremony attendees will receive a special event placard upon arrival at the airport for free parking.
Upon the completion of this flight, SCHF will have arranged for more than 2,500 patriots to visit DC.
To learn more about SCHF's volunteering, donating, or sponsorship opportunities, click here.
Take Stock in Children of Brevard County Celebrates 30 Years
The Brevard Schools Foundation recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Take Stock in Children of Brevard County program.
Take Stock in Children of Brevard County, a Brevard Schools Foundation program, pairs income-qualified middle and high school students with volunteer mentors. Additionally, the Foundation provides college-readiness support, and awards college scholarships upon high school graduation.
Since 1996, the program has helped nearly 1,300 students graduate from high school and earn college scholarships valued at more than $7.6 million. In the last five years, Take Stock in Children of Brevard County has achieved a 100% graduation rate and a 94% college entrance rate for students who enter the program.
For more information about Take Stock in Children of Brevard County, click here.
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New Life Mission "Opening Doors for Women" Fall Fundraiser
New Life Mission will host their "Opening Doors for Women" fundraiser on Thursday, October 8th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Space Coast Health Foundation Center for Collaboration (1100 Rockledge Boulevard) in Rockledge.
"Opening Doors for Women" invites attendees to experience what can happen when a community comes together to open doors for women and children facing homelessness. Guests will learn more about New Life Mission families while enjoying food and drinks from local restaurants, live music, and live and silent auctions. A 2026 New Life graduate will also share her story of transformation and hope.
Proceeds from the event help cover New Life Mission’s program costs as the Christ-centered organization does not accept government funding and relies on the generosity and support of the community.
Tickets are $150 per person and $275 per couple.
For more information, click here.
Downtown Melbourne Fall Festival
The Downtown Melbourne Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Holmes Park (914 E. Melbourne Avenue).
The festival is open to all ages and free to attend. Activities include live music by Harbor City Trio, local food and beverage vendors, a pumpkin patch, inflatables, face painting, and more.
Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, click here.
Pink Heals Festival
Breast Friends of Florida and the Toni Keen Memorial Fund will host the Pink Heals Festival on Thursday, October 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wickham Park Pavilion (2500 Parkway Drive) in Melbourne.
The festival includes a 2-mile walk/run, National Pink Heals firetrucks, a sheriff’s dunk tank, a community bloodmobile, blood pressure and spine assessments, vendors, food trucks, raffles, and children’s activities.
For information, call 321-403-5454.
Space Coast Chamber Golf Tournament
The Space Coast Chamber will host a golf tournament fundraiser on Friday, October 16th at 2:00 p.m. at the Rockledge Country Club (1591 Fiske Blvd.).
Registration begins at 2:00 p.m. with a shotgun start beginning at 3:00 p.m. The cost per foursome is $450 for Space Coast Chamber members and $550 for nonmembers.
An "After Par-tee" will take place immediately following the tournament and includes a best dressed competition, music, drinks, and prizes.
For more information, contact Megan Szucs at (321) 724-5400 or by email at megan@spacecoastchamber.com.
Indian River Lagoon Fest
The Indian River Lagoon Fest, hosted by the City of Melbourne, the City of West Melbourne, the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department, and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program will be held on Saturday, October 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Front Street Park (2210 Front Street) in Melbourne.
The event is open to the public and free of charge. Activities include environmental exhibits, a rain barrel workshop, citizen-science projects, food trucks, live music by Miranda Realino, arts and craft vendors, a bounce house, face painting, games and more.
Additionally, a “Hook Kids on Fishing” clinic will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for children ages 5 to 15. An eco-themed Halloween costume contest for all ages will also begin at 11:00 a.m. Winners will receive tickets to the Brevard Zoo or Central Florida Kayaking.
For more information, click here.
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Contact Information
Melbourne Office
900 East Strawbridge Avenue,
Suite 408,
Melbourne, FL 32901r
321-409-2025
Tallahassee Office
400 South Monroe Street,
302 Senate Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850-487-5019
Staff
Yvette Campbell
Christian Chesnut
William Gooden
Kelli Lane
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