Kevin Christ, a 35-year-old patient at the Temple Lung Center, was featured by CBS News Philadelphia after throwing the first pitch at a Phillies game on September 9. Christ had relied on supplemental oxygen for his entire life until April 2025, when he underwent a double lung transplant at Temple University Hospital. The procedure was performed by Dr. Yoshiya Toyoda, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Dr. Gerard Criner, Director of the Temple Lung Center and Christ’s pulmonologist, spoke to CBS News about Christ’s medical journey. “Mr. Christ was on supplemental oxygen his whole life until April 2025, when he received a double lung transplant performed by Yoshiya Toyoda, MD, PhD, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Temple University Hospital,” Dr. Criner said.
The story highlights recent developments in organ transplantation and follows Christ’s recovery and participation in the ceremonial first pitch.
