Keynote Speaker
Maddy Thoele, Miss MN International 2009
In August 2009, 20 year old Maddy Thoele began having chest pains, fatigue and a rapid heartbeat so she went to the hospital emergency room. After wearing a heart monitor for a month and having heart surgery, Maddy was diagnosed with two heart conditions that can make her heart race up to 120 beats per minute when she does something as simple as stand up.
Fortunately, these conditions haven’t slowed Maddy down. She continued her reign as Miss Minnesota international 2009 and attends St. Cloud State University. She has adjusted her daily routine to manage her condition: she now sleeps nine hours per night, works out regularly and avoids caffeine.
“I don’t let the symptoms scare me and I don’t take a lot of the drugs that are currently available because of the side effects which are worse than the condition itself. In the future, maybe researchers will come up with a better plan.”
In 2010 Maddy became a spokesperson for the Go Red For Women movement and was inducted into the Start! Heart Walk Hall of Fame. “I love being involved raising awareness and money to help save lives.” she says.
