Rick Slayman’s Successful Recovery: One Man’s Journey to a Healthier Life After the World’s First Pig Kidney Transplant

Rick Slayman, the recipient of the world’s first pig kidney transplant, has been released from Massachusetts General Hospital after nearly two weeks of recovery. The 62-year-old will continue his journey towards complete health at home in Weymouth. Slayman expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses who provided him with exceptional care during his stay at the hospital, stating that leaving with a clean bill of health is one of the happiest moments of his life.

At the time of the transplant, Slayman was living with end-stage kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. He had received a human kidney transplant in 2018, which started failing five years later. The pig kidney transplant was the first of its kind, with the kidney donated by eGenesis in Cambridge. The kidney was genetically edited to remove harmful pig genes and human genes were added to improve compatibility.

Slayman’s recovery is progressing smoothly and he is looking forward to resuming time with his family and loved ones without the burden of dialysis. He thanked everyone who sent him well-wishes, including fellow patients awaiting kidney transplants, and expressed that his recovery marks a new beginning not just for himself but for others as well.