The family of the 62-year-old man, who made history as the recipient of the world’s first-ever pig kidney transplant, has sadly announced his passing on Saturday.
Richard Slayman successfully underwent a four-hour procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital in March. He was discharged from the hospital on April 2, two weeks after the surgery.
The hospital made it clear that there was no indication that Slayman’s sudden passing was a result of the transplant.
In a statement, Massachusetts General Hospital expressed deep sadness over the sudden passing of Mr. Rick Slayman. The hospital’s transplant team clarified that there is no indication that his recent transplant played a role in his death.
Slayman, a resident of Weymouth, located 16 miles southeast of Boston, had been managing Type 2 diabetes and hypertension for several years. According to the hospital, he underwent dialysis treatment for an extended period before finally undergoing a kidney transplant in December 2018 at Massachusetts General Hospital. The transplant was made possible thanks to a kidney donated by a deceased individual.
Unfortunately, after five years, Slayman’s kidney started to deteriorate, leading to the need for dialysis once again in May 2023. This sudden change greatly impacted his overall quality of life, as stated by the hospital.
The hospital expressed its gratitude for Mr. Slayman’s trust and dedication in advancing the field of xenotransplantation. They consider him a beacon of hope to numerous transplant patients around the globe. The hospital extended their heartfelt condolences to Mr. Slayman’s family and loved ones, acknowledging the extraordinary person he was, whose generosity and kindness left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
The hospital revealed that the kidney used in the transplant was sourced from a pig donor that underwent genetic editing using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The procedure, undertaken by eGenesis, a pharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, involved the removal of harmful pig genes and the introduction of specific human genes to enhance compatibility with humans.
The family of Slayman expressed their gratitude to the doctors and care team at Mass General Hospital in a statement.
We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our beloved Rick, but find solace in the fact that he has been a source of inspiration for so many. Rick’s story has touched the lives of millions around the world. We find comfort in the optimism he brought to patients who were anxiously awaiting a transplant.
We are filled with immense gratitude for the exceptional care team at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Brigham, particularly Dr. Williams, Dr. Kawai, and Dr. Riella. Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to provide Rick with a second chance at life are truly commendable. Through the groundbreaking xenotransplant procedure they led, our family was blessed with an additional seven weeks with Rick. The memories we created during that precious time will forever hold a special place in our hearts and minds.
Slayman’s family stated that one of the motivations behind his decision to undergo the transplant was to offer hope to the countless individuals who are waiting for transplants in order to survive.
Rick achieved that goal, and his hope and optimism will live on forever. His legacy will serve as an inspiration to patients, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide.
