Mrs. America on National Television

Dedicated Foundation Fighting Blindness supporter and national spokesperson Mrs. America 2011 April Lufriu appeared on the FOX News morning show FOX and Friends Nov. 21 to share her story. The 42-year-old wife and mother returned to her pageantry roots to raise awareness after she and her two children were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in 2010.

April was no stranger to the disease because her sister has coped with losing her vision to RP for several years, and the duo has led the Foundation’s Tampa Bay Chapter since it formed about four years ago. Her personal mission for the Mrs. America crown is to shine light on retinal degenerative diseases and the importance of sight-saving research for the millions affected with these devastating conditions. Next up, April will represent the United States in the Mrs. World pageant in December.

Watch the Fox and Friends interview here.