Donating life: Why Debbie and Michael Lundberg decided to join the ‘One Beaner’ movement

Donating a part of your body to help another human being survive is already an incredible decision to make. Add a global pandemic of a contagious, and potentially deadly, virus on top of it and it becomes all that more critical.

For Debbie and Michael Lundberg, it wasn’t much of a decision at all. In fact, the pandemic created the opportunity.

Debbie Lundberg donated one of her kidneys a little more than six months ago at Tampa General Hospital. She would have done it sooner but, being considered elective surgery, the procedure was put on hold due to the pandemic.

But had it not been for the pandemic, she says, she may not have been able to complete the surgery until much later in 2020.

“If it had not been for the pandemic, I wouldn’t have been able to do it,” Debbie says, adding that her travel schedule for her work with Presenting Powerfully wouldn’t have given her enough downtime at home. COVID changed that.

Now that Debbie has recovered, and even improved her golf swing, her husband, Michael, has decided to seize the moment and donate one of his kidneys while he also has time to recover and work from home.

“What really stood out to me was when Debbie told me that 13 people die every day waiting on the kidney list,” Michael says. “There wasn’t a compelling reason not to [donate.]”

To prepare, the Lundbergs had to start with a blood test, cancer screenings and at least 25 more health tests to determine if they could become donors.

In the end, all of this is worth it, the Lundbergs say.

Debbie tears up when she talks about an instance when a doctor told her that patients mention her by name and say she’s given them hope that someone will come through for them too.

Now with two Lundbergs joining that “One Beaner” club, going from four kidneys between the two of them down to two, that hope and positivity will, no doubt, keep the message going.

Whether it’s making sure you’re an organ donor on your license, and your family is aware, or if you donate blood, everyone can make a difference.

“Ask yourself what you’re willing to do,” Debbie says. “It’s okay if you don’t want to donate a kidney, but there’s always something you can do.”

Michael is scheduled for his surgery on February 24.

You can read more about some of the lessons Debbie learned on her journey in her monthly column with TBBW here.

If you’re interested in learning more about donor opportunities. Visit www.donatelife.net.

 

You May Also Like
The CEO of Mega Service Solutions leads from the heart, on all fronts 

He’s a man of many layers. You might see John Mejia at a community event, or hosting an impressive tailgate at a sporting event, his charming and beautiful wife Samantha,

Read More
John-Mejia
A Q&A with Dr. Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg 

Class is in session: Meet the new president of the University of Tampa

Read More
Great Places and Spaces: Redesign unveiled for Waldorf Astoria Residences (RENDERINGS)

New renderings were released for the 49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences, at 150 2nd Avenue South, in downtown St. Petersburg.  The project would be the first hotel-branded luxury condominium in St.

Read More
20 Questions with Scott Kramer

President & CEO | Spartan Contracting Corporation

Read More
Other Posts
Mansions on the Market: Penthouse at Mandalay Beach Club (PHOTOS)

Address: 10 Papaya St., Unit 1404, Clearwater Beach Specs: 4 bedrooms | 3.5 bathrooms | 4,065 square feet List price: $5,900,000 This penthouse condominium unit has one of the largest

Read More
Elodie Dorso is leading Evara Health into the future of health care

For 25 years, Elodie Dorso has been engulfed in the mission of Evara Health.  Dorso, a Pinellas County-born and bred native, has been leading the organization for the past six

Read More
FloridaCommerce launches $15 million Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses affected by Hurricane Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, FloridaCommerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available to help impacted businesses recover. Small businesses in Florida

Read More
UPDATES from FEMA: Federal, state and local efforts focus on disaster response in Florida

As Florida grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, federal, state and local agencies are coordinating recovery efforts alongside nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Florida, along with several other Southeastern states,

Read More