LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2012) – Louisville native and heart disease survivor Regan Judd has been selected to represent Go Red For Women as a national spokesperson for its 10th anniversary celebration.
At age 19, Judd experienced chest pains while practicing for the University of Kentucky’s dance team. Her cardiologist diagnosed her with Ebstein’s Anomaly, a rare congenital heart defect that required open heart surgery to repair. Her surgery was successful, and soon after Judd returned to school and to the dance team. She has been working with both the Louisville Metro and Central Kentucky chapters of the American Heart Association for years to raise awareness of a woman’s risk of heart disease.
“I am so honored to be selected as a national spokesperson for an organization that is so close to my heart,” Judd said. “My struggle with heart disease was a blessing in disguise. I am now able to spread the word that heart disease does not discriminate. You can have a perfect bill of health and still be affected. I hope that by telling my story, I can help save lives.”
Judd was selected as a spokesperson after participating in the Go Red For Women Casting Call in February. During the casting call, 29 local heart disease and stroke survivors visited the Macy’s at Oxmoor Center in Louisville to share their experiences. Thousands of stories were gathered from across the country, and 10 spokespeople were chosen to represent the 10th Anniversary of the Go Red For Women movement.
“Regan’s story is inspirational, and we are so pleased to have a survivor from our community to be a national face of heart disease in women,” said Jane Merman, Go Red For Women Director.
As a spokesperson, Judd will be featured on a variety of national and local initiatives to educate women on the importance of reducing their risk of heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease and stroke are the greatest health threats women face, yet the majority of women are not aware of the risks. Go Red For Women is part of the American Heart Association’s solution to help saves women’s lives. With one out of three women dying from heart disease, the American Heart Association is committed to fighting this No. 1 killer, which is largely preventable.
Go Red For Women is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and Merck & Co. and locally sponsored by Norton Women’s Care. For more information, visit GoRedForWomen.org.
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