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Man Survives 80% Burns, Gets New Face & Hands
15 Mar
Summary
- Joseph DiMeo survived burns covering 80% of his body.
- He received the world's first successful face and double hand transplant.
- DiMeo is now an advocate for organ donation.
In 2018, Joseph DiMeo, then 18, miraculously survived a devastating car accident in New Jersey that left him with burns covering 80% of his body. After spending three and a half months in a medically induced coma, he awoke to a reality of extensive scarring and loss. His eyelids were gone, and his hands were severely burned, threatening permanent blindness and an inability to perform daily tasks.
Despite the grim prognosis, DiMeo's determination, bolstered by a healthy lifestyle, propelled his recovery. After exhausting conventional grafting options, surgeons proposed a pioneering solution. In August 2020, at the age of 22, DiMeo underwent a historic 23-hour procedure at NYU Langone, receiving the world's first successful face and double hand transplant from a deceased donor.
Now 27, DiMeo has embraced his second chance at life. He is an advocate for organ donation, sharing his inspiring story to encourage others. He has also authored a memoir, "Eighty Percent Gone," and founded a foundation of the same name, aiming to inspire resilience in others facing adversity. He recently married his wife, Jessica, in December 2024.
