DENVER — Eric Weichselbaumer’s journey is not just about overcoming medical adversity; it’s a testament to resilience and the power of organ donation. A golfer with a passion for the sport, Eric is now a competitor on the U.S. Adaptive Golf Tour, showcasing a spirit that thrives despite significant challenges.
For years, Eric grappled with a rare bleeding disorder that intensified over time. In his early thirties, a heart attack struck him unexpectedly. “That was really the start of it. The heart attack came out of nowhere. Otherwise, very healthy,” he recalls.
The situation escalated in January 2022 when a massive blood clot passed through his heart, shattering into pieces that affected his major organs. The consequences were dire, leading to the amputation of his left leg. “Eric had really bad blood clots. It was literally like every part of his body was affected,” explains Dr. Hunter Moore, Eric’s transplant physician at AdventHealth Porter in Denver.
As his kidneys began to fail, Eric’s wife, Amanda, stepped up to donate one of hers. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a match for Eric, but her altruism didn’t go unnoticed—she matched another recipient on the donor waiting list. “I hope that I had a positive impact on the person that received my kidney,” Amanda shares. “But it also helped my family, allowing Eric to move up on the list.”