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Brett Okamoto
Former MMA and wrestling champion Ben Askren has acquired a double lung transplant, his spouse shared on social media.
Askren, 40, has been hospitalized all month in his dwelling state of Wisconsin, as a consequence of extreme pneumonia. His spouse, Amy, has shared updates all through his restoration and expressed gratitude on Monday for the virtual currency.
“We’re so grateful to share that Ben has acquired a double lung transplant,” Amy wrote on Fb. “We’re endlessly grateful to the donor and his household. That is the start of a brand new way of life for Ben, however each new day he has is a present. It nonetheless would not really feel actual that he was strolling round fully wholesome simply 5 weeks in the past. A lot can change so shortly. Please maintain Ben in your prayers that his physique welcomes the brand new lungs as in the event that they have been his personal. I’m continuously in awe of all of the folks carrying us via proper now. I am unable to wait to inform Ben all about it. I am hopeful that within the coming weeks, Ben will be capable to give the following replace.”
In response to Amy’s posts, Askren was positioned on the donor record on June 24. As of June 17, he had been on ventilator assist.
Askren fought his complete skilled combating profession out of Hartland, Wisconsin, and he runs a wrestling academy within the space. He retired from MMA in 2019 and was additionally a two-time NCAA Division I champion in wrestling and a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic staff. He held MMA titles in a number of organizations and appeared within the UFC on the finish of his profession. He and Amy have three kids collectively.