Robert Chelsea’s life changed forever after a devastating car accident left him with severe burns, taking his lips, part of his nose, and his left ear. More than 30 surgeries could not restore his ability to eat, drink, or speak normally. The possibility of a face transplant offered hope — but for Robert, finding a donor with a matching skin tone was just as important as the surgery itself.

In 2018, he turned down his first offer because the donor’s skin was too light, fearing it would strip away a part of his identity. A year later, his patience was rewarded. In 2019, at age 68, Robert became the first African-American man — and the oldest person — to receive a full face transplant, thanks to a donor whose skin tone closely matched his own.

The 16-hour surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, performed by over 45 specialists, was a success. Just 10 days later, Robert could breathe, talk, and eat again. Today, he uses his second chance at life to advocate for organ donation through his nonprofit, Donor’s Dream, urging for more diversity among donors to better serve patients of all backgrounds.

Robert’s journey is one of faith, gratitude, and perseverance. No longer defined by the scars of his past, he shares a simple but powerful message: never give up — hope can lead to miracles.