“He turned down a new face—because it didn’t look like him.” After years of waiting, Robert became the oldest man to receive a full face transplant 🙏🩺 His story—and transformation—are unforgettable. See the photos in the article 👇📸
In 2013, Robert Chelsea’s life changed forever when he was hit by a drunk driver. The crash left him with life-threatening injuries and severe burns that damaged much of his face—he lost his lips, part of his nose, and his left ear. Eating, drinking, and even speaking became extremely difficult. Though he underwent around 30 surgeries, Robert still needed a full face transplant to regain basic functions and quality of life.
But there was one major obstacle: finding a donor whose skin tone matched his. For years, he waited, turning down a potential transplant in 2018 because the skin was noticeably lighter than his own—he feared he wouldn’t recognize himself afterward.
Finally, in 2019, a match was found — a 62-year-old donor with a similar skin tone. At 68, Robert became the first African-American man to receive a full face transplant.
The historic surgery lasted 16 hours and brought together a team of over 45 medical experts at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Incredibly, just 10 days later, Robert was already breathing, talking, and eating on his own.
Since then, his recovery has continued to progress well. He now dedicates his time to advocating for organ donation, especially within the Black community. Through his nonprofit organization, Donor’s Dream, he raises awareness about the importance of more diverse donors to ensure better outcomes for people of all backgrounds.
Looking back, Robert says he’s filled with gratitude—for the doctors, his loved ones, and his faith. “It’s been a long journey,” he said, “but it’s also been one of hope and purpose.”
