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In a groundbreaking medical story that captured global attention, 67-year-old Tim Andrews of New Hampshire has had his genetically modified pig kidney removed after 271 days, marking the longest period any human has lived with such an organ. The transplant, performed at Mass General Brigham in January, was part of a pioneering xenotransplantation experiment aimed at bridging the global gap in human organ donations. Surgeons decided to remove the kidney after signs of declining function, and Andrews will now resume dialysis while remaining on the waiting list for a human donor.
Andrews, who had battled diabetes since the 1990s and end-stage kidney disease for years, viewed the experimental procedure as an opportunity to improve both his life and that of future patients. "I was alive, and I hadn't been in a long time," he told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, describing the transplant as "a miracle." The genetically modified pig kidney, which came from a pig named Wilma, allowed Andrews to regain his energy, take long walks with his dog, and even throw the first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game.
In an emotional Facebook post, Andrews expressed his gratitude to the animal that had given him nearly nine months of renewed life, calling her "my hero" and "a major part of my soul." Despite enduring difficult side effects from experimental drugs, he said he was proud of the medical knowledge gained.
Andrews' courage has been widely recognized, with Mass General Brigham calling him a "selfless medical pioneer." His case adds to a growing number of experimental xenotransplants in the United States, following similar procedures performed on Richard Slayman, Lisa Pisano, and Towana Looney. While challenges remain, Andrews' story symbolizes a hopeful step forward in transplant medicine, bridging the line between human perseverance and scientific innovation.
