A Massachusetts man who received the world’s first pig kidney transplant has died at the age of 62, WBZ reported Sunday.
Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital performed a successful transplant on Rik Suleiman on March 21, 2024, according to reports. W.B.Z..
WBZ reported that Suleiman was discharged from the hospital two weeks after the surgery to recover at home and was transplanted with a pig kidney that had been genetically modified to be more adaptable to humans. (Related article: Humanity’s first “gene-edited pig kidney” transplant)
A Massachusetts man who received the world’s first pig kidney transplant has died. https://t.co/n9TXb4oHBV
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 12, 2024
Massachusetts General Hospital announced Suleiman’s death on Saturday. statement The newspaper stressed that his death was not related to the transplant.
“The Mass General transplant team is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rik Suleiman,” the statement said. “There is no indication that it is a result of his recent transplant. Mr. Suleiman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope for countless transplant patients around the world, and we are grateful for his confidence and for the field of xenotransplantation.” I am deeply grateful for your willingness to move forward.”
Suleiman reportedly suffered from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes for years, and was a candidate for a pig kidney in 2024 after a human kidney transplant he received in 2018 began to fail, according to WBZ. That’s what it means.
This was announced by Suleiman’s family. statement He will be remembered as an inspiration to people around the world, the newspaper said.
“Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Rick, but we take great comfort in knowing that he was an inspiration to so many,” the family said. Ta. “Millions of people around the world have come to know Rick’s story. We are comforted by the optimism he gave and continues to give to patients desperately awaiting a transplant. I feel that
“After the transplant, Rick said one of the reasons he underwent this surgery was to give hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive. Rick achieved that goal and his Hope and optimism will last forever,” the family added.
After Suleiman’s death, his family requested privacy, WBZ reported.
