Deb Werkman

At the age of 40, Deb Werkman saw her life slipping away. The once active woman was falling victim to a genetic disorder that stole her breath. Deb suffered from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a disorder that prevents the liver from releasing a protein that protects the lungs, resulting in damage to the air sacs and reduced lung capacity.

Deb woke each morning with a headache and her skin was grey from the lack of oxygen. She took medication to slow the disease, but there was no cure. Her only chance at survival was to put herself on the lung transplant list.

"When they say it's genetic and there's no cure for it, you think you're going to die. It's not that I was afraid to die, I just wasn't ready," Deb said. "I just decided I wasn't going to sit back and let things happen. I was going to fight it."

After 13 months on the transplant list, Deb got a call that a match was found. She traveled immediately with family to Minneapolis for surgery. Thanks to blood and organ donors, Deb not only survived the surgery, but she thrived and her skin looked pink for the first time in years.

Now, Deb is back to horseback riding and helping her husband, Jeff, on their ranch. She and her family are working to promote organ and blood donation.

"Every single minute of every single day, every time I take in a breath, I remember what I've been given," Deb said. "Give blood when the Red Cross has their blood drive. You may not need it today or tomorrow or next month or next year, but someday you might need it. And then you're going to be praying that someone was conscientious enough to be a donor."

Jeff is grateful to donors who gave Deb the gift of life. "You can thank them over and over and over again," he said. "I don't think there are words to describe the kind of gratitude a person has."