Harry Raymond Eastlack, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Harry Raymond Eastlack

Eastlack had fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. He willed his skeleton to medical science.

Date of Birth: 17-Nov-1933

Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Date of Death: 01-Jan-1973

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Harry Raymond Eastlack, Jr.
(17 November 1933 – 11 November 1973) was the subject of the most recognized case of FOP (fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva) from the 1900s.
His case is also particularly acknowledged, by scientists and researchers, for his contribution to medical advancement.
After suffering from a rare, disabling, and currently incurable genetic disease, Eastlack decided to have his skeleton and medical history donated to the Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in support of FOP research.
His skeleton is one of the few FOP-presenting, fully articulated ones in existence, and it has proved valuable to the study of the disease.As is characteristic of FOP patients, Eastlack did not demonstrate any possible sign of a disease at birth except for a malformation of the big toes.
At the time it was not recognized as the first clinical sign of FOP.
It was not until 1937 when the first Heterotopic ossification symptom surfaced.
By the time of his death, Eastlack's skeleton bore sheets of bone along the vertebrae, which fused to and locked his skull, and branches of bone along his limbs, which immobilized his shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
He died in Philadelphia of bronchial pneumonia six days before his 40th birthday.