“The idea is not to live forever… but maybe to help another live a little longer.”
—Andy Warhol & Donate Life
When you meet Andrea Weisman, you’re immediately drawn to her energy, authenticity, and radiant compassion. As USOA Mrs. Waukesha County 2025, Andrea has become a powerful voice in the pageant world—not just for her crown, but for her cause: championing organ donation and living with purpose. Her story is one of transformation, healing, advocacy, and self-love.
From Crisis to Calling
In December 2015, Andrea’s life changed forever. Surviving a near-fatal car accident during one of the most chaotic chapters of her life—while going through a divorce, raising a toddler, and moving in with her parents—Andrea emerged not just as a survivor, but as a woman reborn with a mission.
“I wasn’t a registered donor then,” she reflects, “and it became so clear to me—what if I needed a donation? I had to become someone who could give the gift of life.” That realization sparked a commitment that would carry through years later, leading to her work with Donate Life, the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, and ultimately her own selfless act of becoming a living kidney donor.
On December 4, 2024, Andrea donated her kidney to a complete stranger. “All I’ve ever wanted was to give someone a second chance at life—just like I was given on December 9, 2015.”
A Queen with a Cause
Andrea’s advocacy began long before her crown—but pageantry gave her a platform to amplify her voice. “Truth be told, pageantry was never on my radar,” she admits. “But I watched my friend compete, and something inside me wondered if this could be the thing I needed for myself.”
As a 41-year-old mom, wife, and business owner, Andrea had it all—on the outside. But inside, she realized she had lost herself in the day-to-day. “Pageantry gave me something for ME. It brought out my strength, my voice, my confidence.”
And most importantly, it gave her a sisterhood. “The community I’ve found through pageantry is life-changing. These are women who lift you up, celebrate you, and walk with you through every part of your journey. It’s not just about the glitz and glam—it’s about real connection, growth, and purpose.”
Living Donation: Changing Lives One Story at a Time
Andrea’s work as an advocate has already changed lives. In 2023, she used her voice to help find a donor match for her former business partner. In 2024, she launched a social media campaign that helped a 5-year-old boy receive a life-saving kidney transplant. Two days later, she began her own testing to become a donor.
“Even if I wasn’t a viable candidate, I wanted to know the process so I could better encourage others,” she explains. But as fate would have it, Andrea was not only a match—she was matched within 24 hours.
Though the recovery process has been difficult, she remains full of purpose. “The body is an incredible thing,” she shares. “I’ve had to learn to listen to it, to show myself grace, and to embrace my physical limits with compassion.”
Emotionally, the journey has been just as intense. “There are moments of joy and fulfillment, but also anxiety and guilt. I think about the recipient all the time. I wonder how they’re doing, if we’ll ever connect. It’s a roller coaster—but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d do it again a million times if I could.”
Grace, Growth, and Giving Back
Through every challenge, Andrea’s mantra remains the same: “I’ve chosen to be a survivor, not a victim.”
She has learned the power of adaptability and the value of support systems. “You are not alone,” she emphasizes. “Having people who remind you of your strength is everything. Not everyone will understand your journey—and that’s okay. This is your journey. Find your tribe.”
Andrea’s pageant platform is centered on creating a community where compassion has no boundaries, and where generosity becomes a way of life. Whether she’s working with healthcare providers to host free kidney screenings or speaking to strangers at awareness events, Andrea believes in educating through connection and storytelling.
Self-Care That Sustains Her
As much as Andrea gives to others, she also understands the importance of pouring back into herself:
- Physical: Hot yoga and Pilates at HotWorx keep her moving and strong.
- Mental: Meditation and journaling offer peace and reflection.
- Emotional: “A good cry and my best friend—both are therapy,” she laughs.
- Spiritual: “God is #1 in my life. My daily affirmations are a non-negotiable.”
- Social/Community: “Pageantry gave me a family I never knew I needed.”
- Professional: “Having a mentor to bounce ideas off of is so important.”
- Practical/Financial: “Take the cruise, buy the purse—but also save for the future.”
Family First, Always
Andrea credits her strength to her unwavering support system: her husband, Andy, and son, Tanner. “They are my everything. Andy has been my rock through all of this—through pageantry, surgery, recovery, and every crazy idea I’ve ever had. And Tanner—he is the reason I do everything. I want to show him what it means to live with purpose.”
A Story That Becomes a Survival Guide
Andrea’s favorite quote is by Brené Brown:
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide.”
That is exactly what she’s doing. By telling her truth, sharing her scars, and walking boldly into every new chapter, Andrea Weisman is not just wearing a crown—she’s wearing her heart on her sleeve.
She is a champion for life. A living donor. A queen of compassion. And a reminder to us all that in choosing to live generously, we help others live longer.
“This journey was never about me—it’s always been about the lives we can save together.”
—Andrea Weisman, USOA Mrs. Waukesha County 2025
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