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Let me tell you about my best friend, Judith Glenn Mabone. We met competing in the Miss District of Columbia pageant in 2015. I think one day during the competition she just declared us friends and it felt right, immediately. More than eight years later, we’ve traveled the world together, cried thousands of happy and sad tears, and been each other’s biggest cheerleaders. I couldn’t imagine not having her as part of my life.
We almost didn’t meet though.
In high school, she ran competitively and had been on track to attend the US Naval Academy where competing in pageants was definitely not an option. But then she had a heart attack, and then another one, and then another one. In total, she had six heart attacks and although she survived, her life was upended. Not knowing if or when she might suffer another heart attack, she made a bucket list. One of those items was to compete in a pageant.
The Naval Academy was, unfortunately, no longer an option, so she ended up headed off to American University in Washington, DC and found the Miss DC pageant. What started as just a fun bucket list item transformed into a commitment to developing herself, serving the DC community, and advocating for a cause that personally impacted her and millions of other Americans, cardiac health. For years, she has championed awareness of cardiac health issues, fundraised for research, and advocated for policy that would require cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) to be put in place in all DC public schools.
This past June, she won the title of Miss District of Columbia 2023 and has used her elevated platform to amplify her prior efforts. Judy has transformed her personal tragedy into a mission of prevention, awareness, and support of those dealing with cardiac health issues. As a result, this year she has the great honor of being one of the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact.
I am so proud to be part of her team. How can you support Jude? How can you help save lives?
- If able, please donate to our campaign.
- If you would like to request a contribution or match from your employer, please let me know and I can provide you with language.
- If you’re in the DMV on November 4th, please consider walking with me in the Heart Walk.
- If you have the time, please consider doing CPR training so you know how to save someone if they go into sudden cardiac arrest.