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Face Transplant Story Told By Donor's Wife: New Book 'The Match' Divulges Details (VIDEO)

First Posted: 10/12/10 12:05 PM ET Updated: 05/25/11 07:00 PM ET

Inspiring
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Transplant

"What a great gift you could give to somebody," said Joseph Helfgot, the soon-to-be donor of his face. "The people out there that are donors, they would be literally giving me life."

After deathly complications during his own heart transplant, Helfgot became the second-ever donor of a face in American. Helfgot's wife, Susan Whitman Helfgot, made the difficult decision soon after her husband's passing, and she tells her incredible story in the new book, "The Match."

"Actually, [the doctor said] we want to take ... and she went like this," said Susan Whitman Helfgot, cupping her nose, mouth and chin. "We need all of this."

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"What a great gift you could give to somebody," said Joseph Helfgot, the soon-to-be donor of his face. "The people out there that are donors, they would be literally giving me life." After deathly c...
"What a great gift you could give to somebody," said Joseph Helfgot, the soon-to-be donor of his face. "The people out there that are donors, they would be literally giving me life." After deathly c...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jwb2013
REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES.
302 Fans
06:49 PM on 10/12/2010
In a word...Incredible!
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Aldyth
Advocating for those who cannot defend themselves.
1411 Fans
05:22 PM on 10/12/2010
God bless her and her husband for their generosity. There's a special place in heaven...
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rspellerberg
0 Fans
03:58 PM on 10/12/2010
Follow the author on twitter http://twitter.com/TheMatchStory and facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/thematchstory

Great article!
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adamblejski
73 Fans
 
03:34 PM on 10/12/2010
Can't wait to head down to Borders and pick up a copy of this book. If it's better than the Boston Med episode (and the book typically is), then we're all in for a treat!
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