Former professional mixed martial artist Ben Askren has undergone a successful double lung transplant, according to an update shared by his wife, Amy Askren.
Askren had been hospitalized for several weeks due to a severe case of pneumonia, a condition that ultimately led to him being placed on the official transplant waiting list for new lungs.
On Monday morning, Amy Askren provided confirmation via her Facebook page that the extensive surgery had been completed successfully.
In her update, Amy expressed profound thankfulness to the donor and their family, referring to every new day Ben now has as a “gift.” She reflected on the rapid deterioration of his health, emphasizing how quickly his condition changed just weeks prior when he was seemingly healthy. Amy also requested continued prayers for Ben`s body to accept the new organs and highlighted her gratitude for the immense support they have received during this challenging time.
Details of Askren`s critical condition during his hospitalization included being placed on a ventilator and requiring the support of an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine to assist his lung function.
The MMA community has consistently offered prayers and support throughout his health struggle. Even his former opponent, Jake Paul, reportedly expressed a desire to assist with the medical costs following a recent fight.
