How Joe DiMeo survived car crash which left him with 80 percent burns

NJ car crash victim with historic face transplant shares joyful engagement photos

'New chance at life': Man gets face, hands in rare surgery

Joe’s story is now in print. After surviving a devastating car accident that left him with third degree burns over 80 percent of his body, Joe became the world’s first successful recipient of a face and bilateral hand transplant at NYU Langone Health. This book is his journey. The pain, the resilience, the surgeries, the second chance at life. 80 Percent Gone, 100 Percent Strong is available for presale now. Release date January 20, 2026. Presale orders will begin shipping on release day. | Dime

Before the accident, Joe was just a 20-year-old heading to work like any other day. Then everything changed. He survived a fiery crash that left him with burns to 80 percent of his body. Years later, he became the first person in the world to receive a successful face and double hand transplant. From his car to an ice bath to rebuilding life together, let’s hear it for the man of the year. | Dimeo Joe

April is National Donate Life Month. In 2018, Joe got into a life threatening car accident that left him with severe, 3rd degree burns to 80% of his body. His injuries limited his everyday life, as all of his fingers tips were amputated due to injury. In 2020, Joe received the World’s First Successful Face and Double Hand Transplant in the World. This allowed him to regain his independence. Please celebrate donate life month with us and all of the hero’s that have donated their organs and tissue