Tired of Just Surviving, Pig Kidney Transplant Gives Him New Life

A pig kidney transplant?

Tim Andrews’ life was a mere existence, not a living one. With end-stage kidney disease, he was trapped in a cycle of dialysis, spending six hours, three days a week, hooked to a machine that kept him alive. But it wasn’t living. He was exhausted, hopeless, and missed his grandkids. The dialysis side effects were taking a toll on his body and spirit. As he sat in that oversized green chair, he couldn’t think about gratitude; all he could think about was death.

Andrews had been living with diabetes since the 1990s, managing it with insulin. However, about 2½ years ago, he went to the doctor feeling unusually tired. Tests revealed stage 3 kidney failure, which rapidly progressed to end-stage disease. With nearly 90,000 people on the waiting list for a kidney in the US, Andrews’ chances of getting a human kidney donation were slim, especially with his rare blood type. People typically wait three to five years for a donor kidney, but for him, it would likely be seven to ten years. Doctors thought his body could only take five years of dialysis, and Andrews knew he was running out of time.

A New Hope Emerges
Andrews’ research led him to Massachusetts General Hospital, where a pioneering project was underway to investigate animal alternatives. He demanded to meet with Dr. Leonardo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General. When Riella mentioned xenotransplantation – transplants using genetically modified pig organs – Andrews’ eyes sparkled. “Tell me what I need to do,” he said. Riella told Andrews he’d need to get stronger, and his wife, Karen, remembered the doctor’s words: “Prepare your body for battle.”

A Leap of Faith
On January 25, surgeons from Massachusetts General Hospital transplanted a genetically edited pig kidney into Andrews’ body. It was a groundbreaking procedure, and Andrews was the second person to receive a pig kidney transplant. After the surgery, Andrews said, “When I woke up, I was a new man.” Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who led Andrews’ surgery and the world’s first pig kidney transplant, said, “This is uncharted territory… I’m optimistic we can get to kidney survival for over two years.”

A New Lease on Life
Andrews is now free from dialysis, recovering well from the transplant. His story offers hope to thousands of people waiting for a kidney transplant. As Andrews said, “This will do something for humanity.” With scientists genetically altering pigs to meet the demand for organs, the future of xenotransplantation looks promising. Andrews’ pioneering spirit and determination have paved the way for others to consider this innovative solution.