Addenbrooke's pays tribute to Sir Roy Calne

The pioneering transplant surgeon died over the weekend at the age of 93.

Sir Roy undertook Europe’s first successful liver transplant at the hospital in 1968.

He was also responsible for other world firsts and made many important discoveries, helping Addenbrooke’s become the internationally famous transplant centre it is today.

Responsible for introducing several of the immunosuppressive drugs used today, Sir Roy won as assortment of awards, prizes and honours including his knighthood in 1986. 

The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) named its fifth floor transplant unit after him in June 2021, complete with a plaque.

Following his death, a book of remembrance is being set up in the Addenbrooke’s chapel.

Below is a timeline of some of the ground-breaking work he undertook:

1965 - Cambridge’s first kidney transplant

1968 - Europe’s first liver transplant

1978 - World’s first use of immunosuppressant ciclosporin - responsible for major improvement in outcomes of kidney, liver, pancreas and thoracic transplants

1987 - World's first liver, heart and lung transplant with Papworth’s John Wallwork

1992 - UK’s first intestinal transplant

1994 - World’s first successful multi-visceral transplant combining stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver, and kidney cluster.