In June, the Mayo Clinic performed its first face transplant.
The medical feat, which is still a relatively uncommon procedure, was punctuated by the heartbreaking stories of two young men under very similar circumstances — one ending with a damaged face, the other in a death.
Here's how the decade-long story unfolded.
Getting the go-ahead for the procedure took some time and a whole lot of preparation. Over the next three years, doctors at the Mayo Clinic spent 50 Saturdays training for the procedure.
All images credit: Mayo Clinic
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