Florida Man Who Underwent Double Lung and Kidney Transplant Due to Vaping Addiction Passes Away
Walker McKnight, a 25-year-old Orlando man who underwent a double lung and kidney transplant in 2019 due to complications from vaping, has passed away.
According to his father, David McKnight, Walker died peacefully on December 31, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. His lungs, which were transplanted in 2022, had failed due to rejection, and medical efforts were unable to save him.
Walker’s struggles with vaping began when he was 19 and a college cheerleader at Florida Atlantic University. He was diagnosed with EVALI, a life-
threatening lung condition linked to vaping, and underwent a double-lung and kidney transplant.
Walker’s story served as a warning about the dangers of vaping, and his family hopes that his legacy will continue to raise awareness about the risks associated with e-cigarette use.
In a statement, Walker’s family said, “We will miss you every day Walker Gray, the kind-hearted, fun-loving, loyal, thoughtful person that you will always be, until we meet again, this time for eternity.”
The family has requested that donations be made to the Gabriel House of Care in Walker’s honor.
