A Golfer with Heart
There is plenty of excitement each year as the PGA Tour comes to Columbus for the Memorial Tournament. This year there’s a special story to follow - a story with heart.
PGA Tour Rookie Erik Compton, tied for second after the first round of play, is one of the most talented golfers in the world. He has traveled the globe competing with golf’s elite; he is a husband and a father.
He is also the only professional golfer in the world to compete with a transplanted heart.
Erik poses with Lifeline of Ohio's mascot, Honey Bee
An athlete all his life, Compton was afflicted with viral cardiomyopathy and received his first heart transplant at the age of 12. He took up golf, and quickly became a name to recognize. In 2007, Compton had a heart attack and was fortunate to receive another transplant. Six months later, he was back in the game all thanks to his donors.
Compton has received numerous bids to play at PGA Tour events and this is his first year with an official spot on the tour. Making the most of this opportunity, Compton partnered with Donate Life America and Genentech to share his story and save lives during his travels.
“Play Through with Erik Compton” is an educational campaign to encourage Americans to consider registering as organ and tissue donors. Compton will travel to five cities this year to promote the campaign, including Columbus. He visited The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center this week as part of the effort, where he shared his story with transplant staff members and visited patients.
Erik Compton shows off his Donate Life patch with local donor mom, Kathy Harrington
“I hope that by sharing my experience with others, Americans can see for themselves how important it is to learn the facts about organ donation and consider taking the next step of registering to become an organ donor,” Compton said in a press release about the project.
Compton’s ability to not only survive, but thrive following his transplant is a testament to the incredible “Gift of Life.”
Just like Compton, thousands of Americans receive transplants each year that allow them to live full lives. But these transplants are only made possible by those who say “yes” to organ and tissue donation.
We hope you’ll take time to watch (and root for) Compton as he continues in the Memorial Tournament this weekend! And keep an eye out for his left sleeve, where he proudly wears the Donate Life patch, a testament to transplantation and a way to honor his donors.
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