Wife: Askren being evaluated for lung transplant

Former MMA and amateur wrestling champion Ben Askren is being evaluated for a imaginable lung transplant, according to his wife.

Askren, 40, remains hospitalized successful his location authorities of Wisconsin due to the fact that of terrible pneumonia. According to his wife, Amy, helium is connected a ventilator and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) but has been capable to unfastened his eyes and compression hands.

"I haven't shared an update due to the fact that Ben has been successful limbo for a portion and I was hoping to person him aftermath up and beryllium the 1 to determine what to share," Amy wrote connected Facebook.

"I'm inactive praying for a occurrence with his existent lungs, but they are presently starting the valuation process for a lung transplant. Please commune for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that helium tin get connected the database rapidly and easily. I cognize transplants are specified a blessing and I'm overwhelmed astatine the thought of him receiving a acquisition similar that. No 1 would instrumentality amended attraction of that acquisition than Ben."

Askren fought his full nonrecreational vocation retired of Hartland, Wisconsin, and helium runs a wrestling academy retired of the area. He retired from MMA successful 2019 and was besides a two-time NCAA Division I champion successful wrestling and a subordinate of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. He and Amy person 3 children together.

"Thank you for each connection and each of the support," Amy wrote. "Despite this atrocious situation, I'm feeling truthful blessed by the assemblage we're surrounded by. Give your loved ones a hug contiguous and marque definite you're prepared for situations similar this. Ben is the healthiest feline I cognize and I ne'er could person expected this."