World record for oldest kidney transplant recipient in Ontario man's hands

Walter Tauro, 88, didn't even know what Guinness World Records was before he was recognized earlier this month by the popular British company as the world's oldest kidney transplant recipient. Walter moved to Ontario from India in 1965 and ran a real estate company with his wife and two children for years before retiring. But in 2020, doctors have discovered that he has kidney disease. For his treatment, he had to undergo dialysis three times a week, each time for four hours; In this process, dialysis takes over the task of purifying the blood and removing waste materials and toxins from the body.

Tired of the grueling dialysis treatment, he decided to apply for a kidney transplant, but there was no news of a kidney transplant for three years. But in June 2023, a doctor from Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital informed Walter that a new kidney was available for transplant in available but warned that he might not survive the operation due to his age. However, after numerous tests, a surgeon confirmed his condition to receive a kidney from an anonymous donor.

The Guinness Book of World Records stated on its website that Walter was determined to have the transplant because he no longer wanted to undergo daily dialysis. Six hours after the surgery, Walter regained consciousness. He stayed in the hospital for a month and recovered and overcame some minor infections.

A nurse suggested she call Guinness because she believed Walter might be the world's oldest kidney transplant recipient. According to Walter, the nurse's guess was correct, and Guinness confirmed her record earlier this month.

Walter is now feeling healthy and enjoying his life with his family and two grandchildren. He said that experience has taught him that everyone should take advantage of opportunities once in a while.

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