Hello, my name is Sheryl Aumack and I am writing to you today on behalf of my younger brother, Otto L. Aumack, III. He is a 40-year veteran worker at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. He is a beloved member of the Custodial Department and recently was awarded the highest honor the Walt Disney Company can bestow worldwide, their Legacy Award. This award is for exemplifying the ideals that Walt Disney held dear. He even wears a very special blue name tag that guests are encouraged to ask him about! You can check online to learn more about this very special acknowledgment. You could always find him in ToonTown working on Mickey's Runaway Railroad!

Sadly, on August 25, 2025, Otto suffered a catastrophic heart attack right after clocking in, in the pre-dawn hours. He is only 62 and neither drinks nor smokes and is not overweight.

He was rushed to UCI Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center. He was rushed into surgery where a life-saving stent was inserted (two more would follow two days later—a fourth remains pending). The heart attack is commonly known as "The Widowmaker" and the survival rate can be small. Otto actually "died" on the operating table twice and testing has shown that he has been left with significant damage to the back of his heart. There is no history of heart disease in our family and our parents made it to ripe old ages.

Otto is so well-liked within the Park, not just in his own department. He has mentored many other workers and is always the first to drop everything when there is a need. He has worked through meals and breaks, stayed late, even brought supplies to work to repair equipment.

He needs a special (somewhat complicated) diet and cardio rehab. He has also been denied for disability as his doctors blame him for the incident. He has had no income for three months and was even forced to sell his truck (I will have to drive him to and from work every day when he returns. It's approximately 40-45 miles each way as we live in a different county).

It may sound trivial but he is slowly going down with the ship. His doctors refuse to give him rehab (which he can't afford) and no assistance, financial or otherwise.

I, myself, am basically disabled (bad leg from caring for aged parents which he helped too) so there isn't much I can do. I can't bring in enough to keep us out of a very bad situation.

I will just say it out loud now . . . if you are a fan of Disney, the Park, or a co-worker would you just consider helping out? I will probably catch it for this but I love him too much to see him, actually both of us (we live together since my Dad passed) in this predicament.

I'm adding a few shots of him at work prior to the attack (in ToonTown).

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

UPDATE (12/15/25):

We are having a bit of trouble with GoFundMe in getting a release of the funds to Otto. The site will not vet him as the recipient (called the "beneficiary") so they are withholding all monies until they are satisfied. I have assured them that I have NOTHING to do with the money, how it is used and am not on any bank account (I don't even have one!)

Otto is now back at work, albeit in a reduced capacity, while he continues to recover. His doctors are recommending a specially supervised cardio rehab program at Torrance Memorial Hospital. The program is 2 hours a day, minimum 3 days a week for 12 weeks. It's a special, constant supervision one-on-one program. He may have to take another medical leave while he pursues this as he cannot do it and work at the same time (too taxing on his heart right now). He is so very grateful to everyone for their generosity, love and support. He is still in a bit of a PTSD frame of mind and everything--from food to activities--causes him to think twice. He feels better just doesn't have the stamina he used to have back yet (did you notice the 40-pound weight loss?)