Focused on Healthy Families and Safer Communities,
Mrs. Oregon on a mission.
After a head-on car crash seriously injured her parents and baby brother thirty years ago, Debra has focused her energies on ending the needless tragedy of impaired driving. Debra has dedicated herself to advocating health and public safety policies related to alcohol and drug abuse and addiction, and impaired driving as a national spokesperson, advocate, and policy advisor.
Mrs. Oregon International 2008 says, “We need to continue to focus efforts on healthy families and safer communities.” Debra went on to say, “We all share in the responsibility to prepare our children-our future leaders, for a lifetime free from alcohol and drug abuse and addiction, and give parents and community leaders the tools to make that goal a reality.” She will partner will Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAAD) and The Partnership For A Drug Free America, throughout her reign.
Gilmour has also joined forces with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women program through a new partnership between AHA and the Mrs. International Pageant organization. “This year alone my brother received a pacemaker, my father survived quadruple heart by-pass surgery two months later, and I lost my aunt, five weeks after that,” she said.
With a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, Debra understands the importance of living a heart healthy lifestyle. She also understands the risk factors, and signs and symptoms associated with the disease. Sadly, the information came all too soon in her life.
She lost her maternal grandmother at a young age due to heart related problems. “I wish we knew then what we know now. My grandmother died far too young. She missed out on so much.” Gilmour’s own mother received a pacemaker ten years ago and is thriving. Debra said, “You can successfully live with cardiovascular disease, my family is walking proof.”
The 2008 Mrs. Oregon International’s goal is to educate families about the signs and symptoms of heart disease, and how to live a heart healthy lifestyle.
Photography-Colleen Cahill/Makeup-M’chel Bauxal
