Minneapolis Woman Paralyzed Before Wedding Rebuilds Life After 2nd Heart Transplant

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minneapolis woman who was paralyzed weeks before her wedding is rebuilding her life after receiving a second heart transplant.

Mackenzie Tannhauser suffered a double silent heart attack and spinal stroke in March, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down, according to a GoFundMe organized by her husband, Eric Pfaff.

Tannhauser and Pfaff had planned to get married April 24. Instead, they were married March 13 in a Minneapolis hospital room, according to People.

Tannhauser later received a successful heart transplant April 3, according to People.

It was her second heart transplant.

Tannhauser’s heart problems began when she was a child. According to a profile by Abbott, she was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm at age 8 and underwent more than 10 surgeries over the next five years.

She received her first heart transplant on Sept. 7, 2011, when she was 17, Abbott said.

After that transplant, Tannhauser earned a biomedical engineering degree and went on to work with Abbott’s vascular team as a field clinical specialist, helping with cardiovascular clinical trials, according to the company.

Now, the fundraiser is helping Tannhauser and Pfaff pay for medical bills, rehabilitation, accessible housing, and transportation.

Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page.