Girl's parents appeal for lung donation

The parents of a 10-year-old Newtown Square girl who is in dire need of a lung transplant have made a public appeal for a lung donation from any family that loses a loved one.

Janet and Fran Murnaghan said such a directed organ donation is the "only hope" for daughter Sarah, who has cystic fibrosis and has been on the lung transplant waiting list for 18 months. She has been in Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since February, where she is on a pressurized oxygen machine.

Her case illustrates how relatively few pediatric lungs become available for transplant while adult lungs - which could be cut down to fit her - must first be offered to all wait-listed adults in the region.

Last week, the Murnaghans asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to bypass organ allocation rules because Sarah may die within a few weeks. Although HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked for a review of the rules, she declined to order a waiver for Sarah.

On Monday, the Murnaghans said they had enlisted the Philadelphia-based law firm of Pepper Hamilton to represent and advocate for Sarah on a pro bono basis. The lawyers contend the age restriction is unfair and arbitrary, and the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network should set it aside pending a review of the policy.

 A directed donation is permissible under current rules, but the donor's organs must meet suitability criteria.