8-year-old boy from Congo undergoes surgery in LA to remove facial tumor

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Boy from Congo, 8, undergoes tumor surgery in LA
Matadi, an 8-year-old boy who came to LA with help from Dikembe Mutombo to remove a tumor on his face, has undergone the surgery.

LOS ANGELES, California -- An 8-year-old boy who traveled halfway across the world to remove a massive tumor on his face has undergone the surgery.

Matadi was flown to the United States from the Congo with help from retired NBA star and former Houston Rocket Dikembe Mutombo.

Mutombo is originally from the Congo and his foundation has built a hospital there.

The foundation sponsored the boy's trip to Los Angeles, where he underwent surgery Sunday at the Osborne Head & Neck Foundation for free.

The Ronald McDonald house is also providing housing for the boy and his father while he recovers.