Mass General Transplant

04/24/2025

Donate Life America’s Pediatric Transplant Week, we celebrate Emily’s incredible journey—from a courageous 10-year-old facing a life-saving liver transplant to the thriving young adult she is today. She celebrated her 22nd liver transplant anniversary earlier this month—Donate Life Month!

When faced with the question of whether to accept a donor liver when the call came, Emily’s parents prayed for a sign. It was Emily’s fearless and confident “yes” that gave them hope and strength.

Emily’s transplant journey also led her to discover medical Qigong, an ancient meditative healing practice that combines gentle movement, breath, and mindfulness. Now a certified medical Qigong master and teacher, she uses this practice to promote healing and resilience in others facing health challenges.

We celebrate not only Emily’s courage and transformation but also the transplant nurses and care teams whose dedication makes stories like hers possible every day. Her experience has also informed our unique support programs through the Mass General for Children Pediatric Abdominal Transplant Programs. She left a lasting impression and legacy!

Read more about Emily’s story of yes: https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/patient-stories/emily-liver-transplant

04/24/2025

In case you missed it, check out last week’s virtual town hall led by our transplant and infectious disease experts

The Transplant Center at Massachusetts General Hospital hosted a virtual town hall giving participants the opportunity to ask timely and helpful questions ar...

04/21/2025

04/02/2025

Physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital are maximizing opportunities for lung transplants by capitalizing on groundbreaking research and technology.

02/14/2025

Scott and his childhood best friend, Keith, have always shared a love for the water. But their bond deepened immeasurably when Scott stepped up to donate half his liver in 2024.

The journey began about 17 years ago when Keith was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a degenerative liver disease with no known cure. As his liver function gradually decreased, a transplant became crucial for survival.

"When we first considered a live donor, the enormity of what I would be asking someone to do weighed on me," the Keith shares. "The enthusiasm and magnitude of the response put me at ease. People were not just willing to go through the screening process, they wanted to be an organ donor for me. There is a lot of goodness out there."

With unwavering support from his family—his two children (16 and 20) and his partner of almost six years—Scott made the life-changing decision to become Keith’s living donor. The surgery was successful, and the recovery, while challenging, brought unexpected joys.

Just six months post-surgery, they achieved an incredible milestone—completing a half marathon together. "We were slower, but we did it," Scott shares with pride.

Today, Scott is back to his favorite water activities, while Keith cherishes each day with his loved ones, grateful for the expert medical care he received through the Mass General Brigham Liver Transplant and Living Donation Programs.

"I hope my story can help spread awareness," Scott shares.

Keith reflects “my old liver is gone, and I am here today only because of a graft of [Scott’s] liver.” Their journey is a powerful testament to friendship, community, and the life-changing impact of organ donation. 💙

To learn more, please visit: www.massgeneral.org/transplant/transplant-programs/living-donor-liver-transplant

02/14/2025

With expert care from a specialized team, Jimmy Nuzzo had a heart-liver transplant and reclaimed his life after decades of heart issues. Read his story.

02/14/2025

Why consider living donation? Here is Megan’s “Why”:

Megan was inspired to learn more about living donation when a coworker needed a kidney transplant. While she wasn’t a match, she couldn’t stop thinking about the nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a kidney transplant. Around the same time, she learned that her former boss’s wife was in kidney failure. They too weren’t a match due to different blood types, however, Megan discovered the National Kidney Registry’s voucher program. Through this program, on July 12, 2023, she donated her left kidney on behalf of her friend and started a chain reaction that resulted in four people receiving life-saving transplants—including her intended recipient!

The surgery was laparoscopic (a minimally invasive procedure), and recovery was much easier than she expected. After just one night in the hospital and some rest at home, Megan felt great—she didn’t even need pain medication after the first day! As an avid marathon runner, she took six weeks off running as advised by her doctors but stayed active with walks and plenty of rest. Just 15 weeks after donating, she ran the NYC Marathon in 3:02—her third-fastest time ever! Six months later, she achieved a personal best of 2:45 at the Eugene Marathon.

Now, as Megan prepares to welcome her first child in March 2025, she continues advocating for living donation. Donating her kidney has enriched her life in so many ways—it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. “My only wish is that I had more kidneys to give,” she often says.

Learn more about living donation and how you can make a difference: www.massgeneral.org/transplant/about/living-donor-program

02/14/2025

Today on National Donor Day 💙💚, we are shining a light on the incredible living kidney donors who made up one-third of our transplants in 2024. These everyday heroes stepped up to save lives and give hope to those with kidney failure.

Did you know that a kidney from a living donor typically functions longer than one from a deceased donor? Or that most living donors return to their normal activities within 4-6 weeks?

Living donation is a powerful way to make a difference. If you are curious about becoming a donor, visit www.massgeneral.org/transplant/about/living-donor-program to learn more. Or you can register to be an organ donor by visiting Donate Life America’s www.registerme.org

Your generosity could be someone’s second chance at life.

02/10/2025

At Massachusetts General Hospital, we believe kidney care should be for everyone in need, everywhere. In 2024, our team performed 223 transplants – that’s 223 second chances at life! But we are not stopping there.

We also made history with the first pig-to-human xenotransplantation to a living recipient, Richard Slayman, whose courage paved the way for future advancements. Tim Andrews continues the legacy as our second porcine kidney transplant recipient (fourth worldwide), marking another step forward in addressing the global organ shortage.

Our Equity in Kidney Transplant (EqKT) Initiative continues to grow. Launched in Chelsea in 2022 and expanded to Brockton this year, these community hubs bring transplant evaluation care closer to home breaking known barriers to transplantation.

With six satellite locations across New England, we are bringing best-in-class kidney transplant care closer to you. We’re not just treating kidneys – we’re treating people.

Have questions about kidney transplants? We’re here to help you navigate your unique journey.

Learn more: www.massgeneral.org/transplantevaluation

02/04/2025

Our Lung Transplant Program at Massachusetts General Hospital is breaking records and changing lives. In 2024, we performed 67 transplants, giving patients a fresh start! We’re reaching across the country, even to Alaska, to find the perfect match for our patients. How do we do it? With cutting-edge organ preservation technology that keeps lungs viable longer, increasing the chances for life-saving transplants.

Our team’s dedication means our patients are living longer and breathing easier. We’re not just transplanting organs – we’re restoring hope, one breath at a time. Our success proves that with innovation and commitment, anything is possible in transplantation.

We look forward to all 2025 has in store for our program and the people we transplant. Together, we’re helping more people breathe freely and live fuller lives!

01/31/2025

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) has released the latest data and for the 13th year in a row, the Massachusetts General Hospital Transplant Center has saved more lives through organ transplantation than any other hospital in New England. In 2024, we hit incredible milestones in transplants, living donation, and research—all thanks to our amazing care teams and physician-scientists.

We are grateful for all the people who sought care through our programs for trusting us!

💙 We are ready for more in 2025!