Feel-Good Friday: Medical Innovation is Great Edition

Rick Slayman is a lucky man. Thanks to doctors willing to think outside the box, he is alive and home after he received a lifesaving transplant using a genetically modified pig kidney. That’s right – a pig kidney. He is the first living recipient. The groundbreaking surgery took place last month. The transplant was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital. Slayman is 62 years old. He was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year. Two weeks after the surgery, he was released and went home. It’s impossible not to be amazed at medical innovation and what is possible today. We are happy to share that today, Rick Slayman, our first patient to ever receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, has been discharged from the hospital. He is recovering well and will continue to recuperate at home with his family. pic.twitter.com/26a9f9T85N — MassGeneral News (@MassGeneralNews) April 3, 2024 Slayman expressed his gratitude in a statement. “This moment – leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I’ve had in a long time – is one I wished would come for many years,” Slayman shared. “Now, it’s a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life.” “I’m excited to resume spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones free from the burden of dialysis that has affected my quality of life for many years,” he continued, thanking his team of surgeons for the care he received. “Lastly, I want to thank anyone who has seen my story and sent well-wishes, especially patients waiting for a kidney transplant. Today marks a new beginning not just for me, but for them, as well. My recovery is progressing smoothly and I ask for privacy at this time.” In a statement released by the hospital, one of the doctors on Slayman’s team noted this innovation was a long time coming.“Nearly seven decades after the first successful kidney transplant, our clinicians have once again demonstrated our commitment to provide innovative treatments and help ease the burden of disease for our patients and others around the world,” she continued. The CEO of Mass General Brigham, Dr. Anne Klibanski, noted that its researchers and clinicians are “constantly pushing the boundaries of science to transform medicine and solve significant health issues facing our patients in their daily lives.” There is a shortage of donor organs available for those who need them. This transplant opens up more opportunities to save the lives of desperately ill people. These doctors are heroes. Mr. Slayman is brave to be the first to say yes and live to be a successful recipient. Slayman had diabetes and hypertension. He underwent a transplant with a human kidney in 2018 but it failed after five years. This led to further complications. He told his doctor he couldn’t go on as he was doing. If he were to have another human kidney transplant, his wait would have been five to six years. He couldn’t survive that wait. He was given the option of using the genetic pig kidney and all its pros and cons. Slayman agreed to the transplant and said he wanted to provide hope to the thousands of patients waiting for a transplant. The hospital acknowledged the surgery was performed under the Food and Drug Administration’s compassionate use protocol. It allows someone with a life-threatening illness access to experimental treatment if no other options exist. Everyone is a hero in this story. Long live Rick Slayman.