(CNN) A Congolese boy who traveled to the United States to have a tumor removed from his face died Friday, the organization who sponsored him said in a statement.

The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, created by the former NBA player, said in a statement on Instagram on Saturday that Matadi Sela Petit, 8, died after suffering a rare genetic reaction to anesthesia during surgery.

"Despite the diligent efforts of his medical caregivers, Matadi did not recover and he passed away last night," the statement said.

The Mutombo Foundation sponsored Matadi's trip to the United States. He arrived in Los Angeles on December 12 with his father, CNN affiliate KABC reported

The founder and director of the Osborne Head and Neck Institute, Dr. Ryan Osborne, performed the surgery, the Mutombo Foundation said.

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