https://www.wmur.com/article/pig-kidney-transplant-tim-andrews-102825/69182377 (https://www.wmur.com/article/pig-kidney-transplant-tim-andrews-102825/69182377)
New Hampshire man still hopeful after transplanted pig kidney removed
Speaking from his Boston hospital bed while receiving dialysis, Tim Andrews of Concord remains hopeful that a human donor will come forward to give him a kidney, less than a week after doctors removed his transplanted pig kidney.
Andrews is only the second person at Mass General Brigham to receive a pig kidney transplant (https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-tim-andrews-pig-kidney-mgh/63702051), a procedure that made global headlines earlier this year as doctors hoped to revolutionize transplant medicine.
"It's like a gift from God. It's like, you're kidding me. I'm free. I can feel good and I can be human again," Andrews said.
He lived with the gene-edited pig kidney for a record 271 days. In an exclusive interview with News 9, Andrews said the kidney's function began to decline, prompting doctors to remove it last week (https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-tim-andrews-pig-kidney-removal/69168291).
Doctors at Mass General Brigham called Andrews a "pioneer" and an "inspiration" to kidney failure patients worldwide.
While he was disappointed and emotional about having the kidney removed, Andrews said he understood this outcome was always possible.
"Kind of knew it was going to happen sooner or later. That was part of the deal. And that's part of, with every transplant," he said.
Andrews said the kidney had given him freedom, a chance to breathe, and the ability to enjoy life again. He is now back on the transplant waiting list.
"We're really working hard to get the name out and somebody be my hero so that I don't have to go through this," Andrews said. "Because realistically, and I've told the doctor this, realistically, less than a year, and I won't be here anymore."
About 100,000 people in the United States are on the kidney transplant waiting list. The Living Donor Program (https://www.massgeneral.org/transplant/about/living-donor-program?cmp=nwsref) at Mass General Hospital allows people to donate a healthy kidney or a portion of their liver to patients in need.
Andrews encourages anyone to consider donating, even if they aren't a match for him.
"We'll get as many kidneys as we can. You don't have to be a match for me. Donate a kidney. There's a person out there that needs a hero. And the more people that do it, the more people will get off this. And we won't even need to pick the pig thing if we got enough people to do it," Andrews said.