Naomi Judd to Speak on Optimism and Healing, Nov. 8

“Love Can Build a Bridge” will be the topic of a presentation by country music superstar Naomi Judd on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Braden Auditorium.  The event is free and open to the public and will include a question and answer session and book signing.

Judd’s visit, co-hosted by Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University, is part of the University’s 150th Celebration.     

Judd’s presentation will be a message of hope and perseverance as she recounts her battle with Hepatitis C, a potentially fatal chronic liver disease.  Now cured of the disease, Judd, a former registered nurse, continues to be an advocate for women’s health concerns and draws on her own experiences as a spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation.

Judd created the Naomi Judd Education and Research Fund in 1991 to heighten awareness of the deadly Hepatitis C virus and raise research funds for the American Liver Foundation.  Her personal experience and knowledge of various health and family-related issues has led to numerous speaking engagements at conventions, seminars and high profile summits as well as numerous media awareness campaigns and hearings on Capitol Hill.

Performing as the Grammy Award-winning music duo The Judds, Naomi and her daughter Wynonna won legions of fans and helped to revitalize country music.  At the height of their popularity, Judd was diagnosed with the disease in 1990.  Her optimism in the face of illness will be the subject of her presentation, which translates faith and values, medical knowledge, humor, common sense and belief in the mind-body-spirit connection into a powerful message.