'I’m Superwoman!': Alabama woman shatters records with pig kidney transplant

Washington: A 53-year-old from Alabama, Towana Looney, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant. For 61 days and counting, she has been thriving with a pig kidney, proving that science and determination can work wonders.  

"I'm superwoman," Looney joked, describing her newfound energy and zest for life. The Alabama native is living proof that animal-to-human organ transplants, though experimental, are making real progress.  

Setting new records in science

Looney’s recovery is inspiring for doctors working on xenotransplantation – the practice of transplanting animal organs into humans. She’s now outliving the four Americans who previously underwent experimental pig organ transplants (two hearts and two kidneys), none of whom survived beyond two months.  

Dr Robert Montgomery of NYU Langone Health, the surgeon who led Looney’s transplant, said her kidney function is “absolutely normal.”  

“If you saw her on the street, you would have no idea that she's the only person in the world walking around with a pig organ inside them that's functioning,” he shared.  

A second chance at life

Looney donated one of her kidneys to her mother back in 1999. However, pregnancy complications later led to high blood pressure, which damaged her remaining kidney and caused it to fail – an extremely rare situation for living donors. After spending eight gruelling years on dialysis, she was told she’d likely never receive a human kidney due to her high levels of antibodies, which made her body prone to rejecting donor organs.  

But Looney refused to give up. When the opportunity for a pig organ transplant arose, she stepped forward.  

Recovery in full swing  

Looney underwent surgery on 25th November 2023 and was discharged just 11 days later. Doctors at NYU have been closely monitoring her recovery. At around three weeks post-surgery, they noticed subtle signs of organ rejection, but thanks to their previous experiments, they were able to treat her successfully.  

“She’s been doing brilliantly since then,” said Dr Montgomery, who expressed optimism that her new kidney would continue to function well for a significant period.  

Looney hasn’t just been recovering – she’s been inspiring others. Through social media, she’s been connecting with people on the transplant list, sharing her journey, and offering support.  

“I love talking to people, I love helping people,” she said. One person reached out, scared about undergoing a pig kidney transplant themselves. Looney encouraged them to lean on their faith and make the decision that felt right for them.  

“I didn’t want to persuade him whether to do or not to do it,” she explained. Instead, she urged him to pray and listen to his heart.  

A family’s sacrifice that paved the way  

Looney’s transplant builds on previous research from NYU Langone. In 2023, a pig kidney was successfully kept alive for 61 days in a deceased man whose body had been donated for scientific study. Looney recently met the family behind that donation.  

“It feels really good to know that the decision I made for NYU to use my brother was the right decision and it’s helping people,” said Mary Miller-Duffy, the sister of the deceased donor.  

Looney, grateful for their contribution, is now trying to pay it forward by raising awareness and offering hope to others on the long transplant waitlist.  

What’s next? 

Doctors are cautious but hopeful. “The truth is we don’t really know what the next hurdles are because this is the first time we’ve gotten this far,” said Dr Montgomery.

While there’s no telling how long the kidney will last, Looney is prepared for any outcome, even if that means going back on dialysis in the future. For now, she’s focused on making the most of her second chance at life.  

“It’s a new take on life,” she said, beaming with positivity. “I want to be, like, some educational piece for scientists to help others.”  

AP