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Michigan man gets successful face transplant at Mayo Clinic
The team behind Derek Pfaff’s transformational surgery said the procedure took around 50 hours and was performed by at least 80 team members.
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Ten years and nearly 60 surgeries after a now-30-year-old man attempted to take his own life, he’s taking his life back… thanks to world-class healthcare providers at Rochester’s Mayo Clinic.
Derek Pfaff, a Michigan man whose face was severely damaged by a gunshot wound in 2014, recently underwent a face transplant procedure he said “transformed” his life.
“I lived for a reason. I want to help others,” Pfaff said in a statement released by Mayo Clinic. “I am so grateful to my donor, his family and my care team at Mayo Clinic for giving me this second chance.”
Before coming to Mayo, the clinic’s said Pfaff was unable to eat solid food, speak casually or even wear glasses as a result of his injuries. Now, Mayo said Pfaff will be able to do all of those things and more, including advocating for suicide prevention and awareness.
“This surgery has transformed my life. I feel so much more confident. I am hoping to one day meet someone, settle down and have a family,” Pfaff said. “I’m also going to keep sharing my story with others to help as many people as I can.”
The team behind Pfaff’s transformational surgery said the procedure took around 50 hours and was performed by at least 80 healthcare team members, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, technicians, assistants and others.
Dr. Samir Mardini, a facial reconstructive and facial reanimation surgeon and surgical director of Mayo’s reconstructive transplant program, led the surgical team. He estimated about 85% of Pfaff’s face was reconstructed and replaced with donor tissue.
“This successful transplant would not have been possible without the donor and his family’s generous gift and the care team’s collaboration and dedication,” Mardini said, adding, “Most organ transplants are lifesaving. With facial transplantation, it’s a life-giving operation. You can live without it, but you are missing out on life.”
For more information about Pfaff’s facial reconstructive journey, the Mayo Clinic and its transplant program, visit the clinic’s website.
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, there is help available from the following resources:
Crisis Text Line – text “MN” to 741741 (standard data and text rates apply)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, Talk to Someone Now
Throughout Minnesota call **CRISIS (**274747)
The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386
This week, McDaniels launched his first-ever Winter Essentials Drive initiative, aiming to collect cold-weather gear for families in need living in the Twin Cities.
MINNEAPOLIS — You’ve heard of a wolf in sheep’s clothing — but how about a wolf in winter clothing?
Enter: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
This week, McDaniels launched his first-ever Winter Essentials Drive initiative, aiming to collect cold-weather gear for families in need living in the Twin Cities metro.
The campaign comes in partnership with Hy-Vee and Be the Change MN, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that “works to connect underserved children, teens and families with quality resources, curated experiences and equitable access to community support systems.”
“We have a special community here in Minnesota and I’m happy to help support those in need,” McDaniels said in a statement.
Organizers hope to collect donated essential winter items like hats, gloves, mittens, snow pants, coats, boots and scarves, which will be delivered to Be the Change in December. A statement from Be the Change said McDaniels will also donate $10,000 to the organization to help purchase additional items and connect families with crucial resources.
The drive began Monday, Nov. 18 and runs through Friday, Dec. 6. Donated items can be dropped off at any Twin Cities Hy-Vee location.
The nonprofit will follow Daniels’ drive with its Winter Wonderland event at the Mall of America, which takes place from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 8. Be the Change hopes to “bring joy and support” to 850 elementary school children and their families during the holiday season by hosting a day of celebration, free from “all financial barriers.”
The initiative will also incorporate the organization’s Kicks and Coats for Kids campaign, providing each of those students with “a quality winter coat and pair of tennis shoes.”
“Together, through initiatives like the Kicks and Coats for Kids campaign and events like Winter Wonderland, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of underserved families,” said an event spokesperson.
For more information about Jaden’s Winter Essentials Drive, click here.
To learn more about Be the Change and its schedule of events, visit the organization’s website here.
Officials say the suspect entered the restaurant, demanded cash and left the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
LAKEVILLE, Minn. — Officials are investigating a reported armed robbery at a Lakeville restaurant Monday night.
According to a press release, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office was called just after 10:20 p.m. Monday on a report of an armed robbery at the Red Fox Tavern on Pillsbury Avenue. Officials say the suspect entered the restaurant, demanded cash and left the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Authorities say there were no injuries, but two employees were in the restaurant at the time of the robbery.
“This kind of crime is unsettling for our entire community, and our team is committed to thoroughly investigating and bringing those responsible to justice,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen in a release. “We encourage anyone with information to come forward and assist us in this investigation.”
According to a post on Red Fox Tavern’s social media page, the suspect pointed a gun at the two employees, forced them to tie their arms together with zip ties and duct-taped their legs together. The restaurant was closed Tuesday but is expected to reopen on Wednesday.
ROSEVILLE, Minn. — Over the weekend, more than 18,000 feet of copper wire were stolen from dozens of outdoor light poles in Roseville’s Central Park.
The City of Roseville said in a news release that copper wiring was stripped from 27 light poles between Lexington Avenue and Victoria Street on Saturday and could cost more than $70,000 to repair.
“This is particularly disheartening because so many residents rely on Central Park for physical activity and mental rejuvenation, especially during the fall and winter when the days are short,” said Roseville Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Johnson in a release. “We will do everything in our power to get this repaired as quickly and efficiently as possible, but it will be a significant undertaking.”
Copper wire thefts have been on the rise over the past few years, and have cost taxpayers millions to repair. St. Paul Rep. Athena Hollins and Sen. Sandy Pappas introduced a new bill in April to require Minnesotans to get a state license to buy and sell scrap copper wiring. The bill passed and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.
“People are stealing copper because a small number of businesses are looking the other way and not asking questions when they buy stolen copper,” Rep. Hollins told reporters back in April.
Sen. Pappas said the goal of the bill is to remove the marketplace for stolen copper wiring, adding that licensed electrical contractors would be automatically licensed to sell scrap copper wiring, and do-it-yourselfers would be allowed to donate leftover copper to recyclers.
“Residents and businesses would still be allowed to recycle copper with scrap metal companies for free, and the thieves who’ve been gutting our public utilities will be locked out of the market where they earn most of their money,” said Pappas.
