A Congolese boy who was flown all the way from his hometown to the United States to remove a large tumour on his face has passed away, said former NBA star, Dikembe Mutombo, whose foundation sponsored the child’s trip.
The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation said in a statement on Instagram on Saturday that the 8-year-old boy, Matadi Sela Petit, died after suffering a rare genetic reaction to anaesthesia during the surgery on December 16.
“Despite the diligent efforts of his medical caregivers, Matadi did not recover and he passed away last night,” the statement said.
Mutombo, on December 12, welcomed the child who had a tumour growing on the left side of his face, at the Los Angeles International Airport, hoping to change his life after sponsoring his trip and surgery.
Dikembe Mutombo flew 8-year-old Matadi from the Congo to the US and is paying for surgery to remove his tumor
