Woman with Pig Organ Achieves Significant Milestone Two Months After Surgery
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Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has reached a remarkable milestone as the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant. After undergoing the transplant procedure, Looney recently marked 61 days post-surgery with good health and high energy levels, as reported by the Associated Press. Describing her experience, she exclaimed, “I’m superwoman. It’s a new take on life.”
Looney is only the fifth individual to receive a gene-edited pig organ since 2022, making her the third person to have received a kidney from a pig. Tragically, none of the previous recipients survived beyond the two-month mark, as documented by The New York Times. Despite being a trailblazer in this medical field, Looney’s recovery has been nothing short of exceptional.
Dr. Robert Montgomery from NYU Langone Health, who led the transplant procedure, expressed admiration for Looney’s post-surgery progress. He highlighted that her kidney function is currently operating at an “absolutely normal” level. Looking ahead, the medical team is optimistic about Looney’s potential return to her home in Gadsden, Ala., within the next month.
In a heartening update from December 2024, Looney was reported to be recuperating well following her transplant surgery in November. Remarkably, she was discharged from the hospital just 11 days after the operation. Looney’s medical journey dates back to 1999 when she selflessly donated a kidney to her mother. Unfortunately, her remaining kidney was later compromised and eventually failed due to pregnancy-related complications, leading her to require the pioneering pig organ transplant.
The significance of Looney’s resilience and progress is underscored by the dire shortage of organ donations faced globally. With over 100,000 individuals in the United States alone awaiting organ transplants, the need for innovative solutions is more pressing than ever. As reported by USA Today, approximately 5,600 Americans lose their lives annually while awaiting a suitable human organ for transplantation, further highlighting the critical nature of Looney’s successful pig organ procedure.
Looney’s groundbreaking journey serves as a beacon of hope for many patients grappling with organ failure and the challenges of transplantation. Her unwavering spirit and determination underscore the transformative impact of medical advancements, such as gene-edited pig organs, in saving lives and offering renewed opportunities for those in need. As the medical community continues to push boundaries and explore innovative solutions, stories like Towana Looney’s remind us of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.