One Woman’s Story, One Woman’s Impact

In Greater Cincinnati, we have a radon awareness advocate that has made more impact in one month than we have over many years. The message is simple: “Test, Fix, Save a Life.” Her name is Debra Rebensdorf and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in October of 2009. Late last year, she contacted At Home Radon for a radon mitigation system. She has deeply touched all of us and made us once again realize how important our work is.

Debra and her husband, Lou, live in a beautiful home in the country. They moved away from the city about 11 years ago, to have more space and “breathe in country air.” Debra was unaware of radon and the potential for lung cancer. No one in her family has ever had lung cancer and she is a healthy active woman with a husband, career, friends, horses and lots of 4-legged creatures!

As soon as she learned radon was a probable cause of her lung cancer, Debra vigilantly warned friends, co-workers and family about the risk of radon encouraging them to test their homes. Debra wholeheartedly agreed to share her story with others during National Radon Action Month. She said that if she could help prevent others from going through this, she would do it. Since January, we have had many opportunities to talk with local reporters. Each time, Debra has been honest about her situation and emphatic about preventing this from happening to others.

Thousands have heard Debra’s story and have tested their home for radon over the past several weeks. Daily, we get calls from homeowners who want to know more and are taking action because of her story.

When I think of our industry, we are indeed “radon leaders saving lives.” However, people like Debra, who are overcoming great adversity and yet have the courage to get out there and warn others are in my opinion the real leaders. Debra Rebensdorf is not only a brave woman, but truly a radon leader who is actively saving lives every day.

To watch a news segment featuring Alexia and Debra from WXIX-Fox19 in Cincinnati, OH, and read the accompanying article, click here.

To listen to Alexia and Debra's interview on 700WLW radio station in Cincinnati, OH, click here. Scroll down to the entry "Bill Cunningham 1/18/10 Hour 3" to access the podcast. The interview begins after a 30-second advertisement, and continues until the 20:38 mark of the recording.