Cameron Underwood, a young man from Yuba City, California, is making incredible strides in his recovery less than a year after undergoing a groundbreaking 25-hour face transplant. Back in June 2016, Cameron attempted to take his own life with a gun, leaving him with catastrophic injuries — he lost his nose, part of his lower jaw, most of his teeth, and suffered extensive damage to his eye sockets.

In January, Cameron underwent a life-changing face transplant at NYU Langone Health in New York City, led by Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez and a specialized team of over 100 medical professionals. Before the transplant, Cameron had multiple conventional reconstructive surgeries, but it was the transplant that gave him the chance to truly start over.

The turning point came when Cameron’s mother learned about Dr. Rodriguez and the hospital’s pioneering transplant program. After being evaluated, Cameron was placed on the donor list — and just six months later, he received the call that would change his life.

The donor, Will Fisher, was a young writer and filmmaker who tragically passed away in late 2017. Cameron has spoken with heartfelt gratitude for Will’s gift and the strength of his family, who made the brave decision to donate his organs.

Cameron has been diligently attending follow-up appointments and therapy to support his recovery. Because his injuries were relatively recent, doctors believe he’s been able to avoid some of the long-term psychological effects that often affect face transplant recipients.

Thanks to cutting-edge 3D printing technology used in surgical planning, Cameron’s procedure is now considered one of the most advanced face transplants ever performed. His journey stands as a powerful story of resilience, second chances, and the remarkable possibilities of modern medicine.