Two Transplants Strong
January 25, 2021:
“Every transplant is a different journey,” Deborah Labud said. “Both of mine have been totally different journeys. I have different issues with my second transplant, but my breathing is awesome.”
Deborah and her granddaughter at the Transplant Games of America.
While in her early 30s, Deborah suddenly began experiencing breathing troubles. After multiple doctors’ visits and misdiagnoses, at 36 years old, it was determined she had Alpha–1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic lung and liver condition.
Beginning in 1995, Deborah was put onto oxygen 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Two years later, her lung capacity declined to just 17 percent. She was listed to await a lung transplant.
While she waited, Deborah was inspired by another transplant recipient to make a bucket list. She created goals of traveling more, competing in various athletic events and spreading the word about the importance of organ donation.
She waited for four years, four months and 22 days, when she received her life-saving gift. On November 22, 2001, Thanksgiving Day, Deborah received a lung transplant at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.
Deborah and her grandchildren being interviewed by local media at a biking event.
Deborah’s lung transplant allowed her to accomplish many feats. Seven months post-transplant, she completed a 12-mile bicycle ride. Over the years, she attended seven Transplant Games of America, and she finished two half-marathons. She even participated in five, three-day-long bicycle rides around Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She visited Barcelona and Hawaii. Another milestone Deborah cherishes was meeting her donor’s mother.
In 2002, Deborah began volunteering with LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, sharing her story to educate others about organ donation. In January 2005, while helping LifeQuest at a race benefitting blood donation, Deborah was encouraged to apply to work for LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, the local blood supplier.
Deborah became a phlebotomist, then a blood donor recruiter, a role she would fill for 14 years serving the Ocala and Gainesville communities.
Deborah visiting with one of the doctors who treated her at UF Health Shands Hospital.
In 2017, after many years of great health, Deborah started experiencing lung problems again, and she was hospitalized following a trip to Chicago. Her right lung was expanding, impacting her transplant.
In September 2018, she was listed for a second transplant, this time, for her native lung. She received her transplant three months later, on November 28, 2018, once again around Thanksgiving.
Deborah also became a recipient of her work with LifeSouth. She used 20 units of whole blood, 12 units of platelets and three units of plasma during her surgery.
She is continually grateful for her Gifts of Life, and the life she is able to experience with her three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“Organ donors are heroes,” Deborah said. “They’re definitely generous to sign up and be donors because they can save so many lives. They give others opportunities to watch loved ones grow, have kids, graduate, get married. It’s amazing what can be accomplished from one donor’s gift.”
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