Patrick Hardison Receives a New Face After Third-Degree Burns — See Him Today

Few stories of survival are as extraordinary as that of Patrick Hardison, a volunteer firefighter from Mississippi. In 2001, Patrick rushed into a burning house to save lives, only to be trapped when the structure collapsed. The horrific accident left him with third-degree burns covering his face, scalp, neck, head, and upper torso, leaving him unrecognizable.

“My mask was melting to my face,” Patrick recalled. “My hose had already melted.” His friend and fellow first responder, Jimmy Neal, later told CBS News, “I’ve never seen anyone so badly burned still alive.” Patrick’s lips were gone, most of his nose destroyed, and he lost vital eyelid tissue, putting him at constant risk of blindness.

After the accident, Patrick endured more than 70 surgeries. Doctors created flaps of skin to protect his eyes since he could no longer close them naturally. Everyday tasks like eating, speaking, and interacting with his children became agonizing. To shield himself from stares and curiosity, he relied on a baseball cap, sunglasses, and ear prosthetics. “Walking in public—every single day—it was just overwhelming,” he told Yahoo! Sports.

For years, Patrick feared he would never live a “normal” life again. His hope was reignited after learning about Isabelle Dinoire, the French woman who had undergone the world’s first partial face transplant. Inspired, Patrick reached out to Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez at NYU Langone Medical Center, who agreed to perform a full face transplant if a matching donor could be found.

The match came through LiveOnNY, a nonprofit coordinating organ donations. David Rodebaugh, a 26-year-old man who had suffered a fatal head injury in a bicycle accident, became the donor. David’s mother, Nancy Millar, courageously chose to donate her son’s face. “I said, ‘You better save his face—he had the face of a porcelain doll,’” she told People. “And he was a registered donor. We had talked about it.” Nancy saw a reflection of her son’s courage in Patrick, knowing he shared David’s bravery and dedication.

The groundbreaking transplant involved a team of over 100 medical professionals and lasted an astonishing 26 hours. Patrick received a new face, scalp, ears, ear canals, and eyelids, restoring the ability to blink naturally and preserving his eyesight. The operation carried a 50/50 chance of survival—but Patrick made it.

After the surgery, Patrick learned to speak, eat, and navigate the world with his new face. He eventually met Nancy, the woman whose selfless act gave him a second chance at life. Their first encounter was deeply emotional: she asked if she could kiss his forehead—the same gesture she used to comfort David every night.

“I’ve been waiting a year to meet her,” Patrick said. “I’m just so grateful. Without her, none of this would’ve been possible. She feels like family now—we connected instantly.”

Patrick Hardison’s story is not just one of survival—it is a testament to human courage, medical innovation, and the profound impact of selfless generosity. Today, Patrick lives with a new face and a renewed purpose, embodying resilience and hope for millions.