Ben Askren saved by double lung transplant after near-death battle

In the United States, Ben Askren, a former Olympic wrestler and UFC fighter, faced a life-threatening illness that necessitated a double lung transplant. His health deteriorated following a severe case of pneumonia, which led him to be hospitalized in Wisconsin. Initially put on a ventilator in June, Askren was placed on the donor list for a lung transplant on June 24. Over a challenging 45-day period, he lost a significant amount of weight—approximately 50 pounds—and experienced episodes where his heart stopped momentarily, stating that he ‘died four times’. He has little recollection of this harrowing time, which lasted from late May through early July, and he relied on his wife's journal to piece together events. The support he received from the wrestling community deeply moved him, feeling as though he had attended his own funeral due to the overwhelming love and encouragement he experienced during his ordeal. Following the successful transplant, Askren is currently in recovery and has begun regaining his strength, recently reporting that he weighed 147 pounds—a weight he had not seen since he was 15 years old. His journey serves as a testament not only to his resilience but also to the robust network of support that surrounds him.