“She Went to Bed with a Tampon and Woke Up Fighting for Her Life – Now She’s a Double Amputee on the Runway”
Lauren Wasser was a vibrant 24-year-old fashion model with a promising and thriving career when a single tampon dramatically and permanently changed the course of her life.In October 2012, Lauren went to bed feeling unwell, with symptoms she initially believed were nothing more than a bad flu. The next day, concerned friends and family requested a welfare check. When police entered her home, they found her unconscious. Her condition was critical.
She had a dangerously high fever of 108 degrees Fahrenheit, her organs were rapidly shutting down, and she had already suffered a heart attack. Doctors gave her less than a 1% chance of survival.Lauren had developed Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but extremely serious bacterial infection linked to tampon use. The infection quickly ravaged her body. Gangrene set in and destroyed the tissue in her right leg, forcing doctors to amputate it below the knee in order to save her life.For years, Lauren endured immense physical pain and emotional hardship as she learned to adapt to life as an amputee.
Then, six years after her initial ordeal, she made the incredibly difficult decision to have her left leg amputated as well. She chose long-term quality of life and mobility over living with constant, debilitating pain and medical complications.Rather than letting the tragedy define her or cause her to step away from public life, Lauren returned stronger and more determined than ever. She made a powerful comeback to the fashion world, walking the runway on striking gold prosthetic legs. She has since modeled for major brands, including walking for Louis Vuitton, and achieved the milestone of appearing in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
In 2026, she continued to turn heads when she attended the Met Gala, showcasing both resilience and style.Beyond modeling, Lauren Wasser has become one of the most prominent and influential voices in women’s health advocacy. She has been tirelessly campaigning for the Robin Danielson Act, a important piece of U.S. legislation that would require tampon manufacturers to fully disclose the chemicals and materials used in their products.Toxic Shock Syndrome has been injuring and killing women for decades, yet it remains dangerously under-discussed. Lauren Wasser now uses her platform to raise awareness and ensure that other women understand the risks. She wants the world to know that toxic shock syndrome is still happening today — and that it can happen to anyone. Her story is one of survival, courage, and powerful advocacy in the face of life-altering adversity.
