Congolese boy dies in Los Angeles after surgery to remove facial tumor

5years ago

Matadi Sela Petit's traveled to Los Angeles with an only wish: to undergo a surgery in order to remove the facial tumor that he grew to the size of a balloon and start a normal life.

Sadly, his life stopped Friday days after he underwent the delicate surgery on December, 16 sponsored by The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. The 8-year-old boy suffered a rare genetic adverse reaction to anesthesia and did not recover.

The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, headed by the former NBA star, announced his death on Saturday, and said that its hope was to give Matadi the opportunity to have a new life, adding that it was devastated by his death. The foundation financed Matadi's travels and medical procedures.