After Long Wait, Five Year Old Gets Her Heart Transplant

Katy Murphy and her family in Wakefield had longest wait for her age and transplant category in the country.

A five year old Wakefield girl and her family received joyous and long-awaited news this week when they learned that after a two-year wait, a heart transplant was finally available. Katy Murphy, who was born with a heart defect, had a 1A status as a transplant recipient, making her a highest-level priority on the waiting list. Late last year, she reportedly became the first 1A child patient to live at home instead of at the hospital. And yet not long before that, in late October, she was reportedly at Children's Hospital with congestive heart failure. One factor that contributed to the wait was the need for a heart compatible with a child of Katy's size. At times, Katy has been able to go to school, reported her mother Aimee, but her …

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