It is with great sadness we report Christopher Lyles lost his battle with cancer the morning of March 5, 2012. Christopher Lyles, 30, had a cancerous tumor on his windpipe. He was the second person in the world to be living and breathing with a synthetic windpipe or trachea implanted in him.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Christopher’s family and friends during this difficult time. We here at Radio One were really pulling for his recovery. He fought a great fight.
The Lyles family released a statement:
“We, the family of Christopher Lyles, sorrowfully inform you that Christopher passed away this morning, March 5, 2012. Christopher was a recipient and strong advocate of stem cell therapy. We do not want his journey to be in vain. We hope his bravery will pave the way for further research and development and acceptance of stem cell based therapies in the United States. We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers throughout Christopher’s trailblazing journey.” – Family of Chrisopher Lyles
Family and friends have been working with HelpHOPELive to raise money to help finance uninsured medical expenses associated with his stem cell transplant. A resident of Abingdon, MD, Christopher received medical care at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.
In loving memory of Christopher, HelpHOPELive will continue to accept charitable donations to help defray uninsured costs that were incurred. Christopher had chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because the nonprofit organization provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a kind contribution to Christopher’s memorial fundraising campaign, call 800-642-8399 or click here for more information.
