Gina Heslop
Derek’s life changed forever after a terrible accident that left his face severely damaged. Over the next six years, he underwent 58 reconstructive surgeries.
Despite all the effort from skilled surgeons, he could not recognize himself in the mirror. His injuries were severe—he had lost one eye, could not blink, had difficulty speaking and breathing, and had lost his sense of smell. He even needed a feeding tube to eat.
Despite everything, Derek remained grateful. “I should have died that night,” he said. “So, I’m thankful to be alive.” But he knew that his life would never truly be the same unless he could get a face transplant.
A Glimmer of Hope
By 2020, Derek’s doctors told him that they had done everything they could. His only remaining hope was a face transplant—a rare and complex procedure performed by only a few teams worldwide.
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, told Derek that his surgery would be the second face transplant they had ever performed. It would also be their most complicated one.
Derek was ready to take the chance. He learned that 85% of his face would need to be replaced. The transplant would involve using the forehead, eyelids, nose, mouth, and jaws from a donor, along with skin, muscles, and nerves from the donor’s face and neck.
The operation would reconnect tiny nerves, giving Derek back essential functions such as blinking, eating, and even smiling.
The Life-Changing Surgery
Before the surgery, doctors spent months preparing. They used detailed scans and 3D models to practice the procedure. Meanwhile, Derek and his family had to wait for a donor. Nine months later, in February of that year, they finally got the news—a suitable donor had been found.
The surgery lasted 50 hours—over two full days. When Derek woke up, he had to wait a month before seeing his new face for the first time. When the moment finally arrived, his mother, Lisa, called it “the most incredible moment of my life.”
At first, Derek struggled to believe it was really him in the mirror. But soon, he realized that, for the first time in years, he looked normal. “Now, when he goes out in public, no one stares at him or points,” Lisa said. “He’s just another face in the crowd.”
A Second Chance at Life
Derek’s new face gave him more than just a new appearance—it gave him confidence and hope. He could now smile, speak more clearly, and would soon be able to eat normally.
Along with Lisa, Derek decided to use his story to help others. They became motivational speakers, sharing Derek’s journey to inspire people struggling with mental health issues. They knew how important it was to offer support.
Suicide is a leading cause of death, especially among young people. Many people feel alone in their struggles. Derek and Lisa wanted to change that. They started speaking at events, sharing Derek’s story, and helping people reconnect with loved ones.
At one event, a man who had been estranged from his son for years was so moved by Derek’s story that he picked up the phone and called him. In another case, they helped a mother whose teenage daughter had attempted to take her own life.
A Dream for the Future
Now, Derek is looking toward the future. He has been given a second chance, and he wants to make the most of it. His biggest dream is to find love, get married, and start a family.
Lisa often thinks about the donor who made this possible. The donor was also 30 years old—the same age as Derek. She hopes that their family finds comfort in knowing that their loved one’s face is helping Derek live his dream.
