An 87-year-old man from Markham, Ontario, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to have ever received a kidney transplant. Walter Tauro underwent the procedure at St. Michael’s Hospital in June 2023 and was awarded the title of oldest kidney transplant recipient for a male in March. Tauro had been on dialysis for four years due to kidney disease, which left him feeling tired and weak. Despite being told he was too old for the surgery, Tauro decided to take the risk and pursue the transplant, stating that if he lived, he would be living happy. The kidney transplant program at St. Michael’s Hospital considers overall health, rather than age, when determining eligibility for the procedure.
Tauro’s son, Lionel, was unaware that his father was undergoing the surgery and assumed he was going for a test. However, he received a call the following morning from his mother, informing him that the surgery was successful. Tauro’s recovery process took longer than expected due to infections, but nearly 10 months later, his new kidney is functioning well. Dr. Ramesh Prasad, one of the physicians involved in the procedure, expressed awe at how quickly Tauro recovered and hopes this success can be replicated in treating the aging population. Tauro is grateful for taking the chance on the operation, acknowledging the risks involved but thanking God for his survival.
