Richard Herrick

Richard J. Herrick (June 15, 1931 – March 14, 1963) was the world's first recipient of a successful human organ transplant, receiving a kidney from his identical twin brother Ronald, in an operation performed by Joseph Murray, Hartwell Harrison, and Joseph Merrill in 1954. After being discharged from the coastguards, but the reunion was not one of joy. Herrick was diagnosed with Kidney Disease, and was given little time to live. With nothing to lose and lots to gain, Herrick was told of a Harvard Medical School professor experimenting with the idea of transplanting healthy organs into those whose organs had failed. On December 23, 1954, the surgery was done, giving Richard one of Ronald's kidneys. Richard was given a new life, and lived for 8 more years. [1] [2]

For the U.S. Representative from New York, see Richard P. Herrick. For the Anglican priest, see Dick Herrick.

References
  1. "Richard J. Herrick". Find A Grave. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  2. "A transplant makes history". The Harvard Gazette. Retrieved 22 September 2011.


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