Health Rights.am

Rafael, man who became world’s first face transplant recipient, meets the press

May 4th 2010 - A young man whose face had been disfigured by tumors proudly stood before the media this week.

“I am full of joy and happiness,” the man, identified only as Rafael, told the press. “I want to thank the family of the donor and the medical team.”

With him was his mother, Juana, and sister, Belen, as well as members of the surgical team. He appeared happy to answer questions, but asked to be left alone afterward.

“Please, after this press conference I want you to leave me, my family and my friends in peace,” he said. “It is difficult enough for us to appear before all these cameras, so you can imagine how Rafael feels,” said surgeon Tomas Gomez Cia, the leader of the transplant team.

According to his doctors, Rafael has been regaining sensitivity in his lips and cheeks, and “he’s even shaving.”

Cia said Rafael, who had the surgery in January, had asked to address the media because of its interest in his case and because he thought appearing in public would encourage donations in cases like his.

Doctors replaced the bottom two-thirds of Rafael’s face because of a congenital disease that left it deformed with benign tumors.

By Michael Sheridan
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER