Sarah Murnaghan, an 11-year-old girl from Newton, Pa. battling cystic fibrosis, was finally released from her six-month hospital stay on Tuesday stay after receiving a successful lung transplant.
Murnaghan arrived home around 9:30 a.m. after leaving the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was given a lung transplant her parents had to fight hard for, according to ABC News.
Around Memorial Day, Sarah's mother Janet started a Change.org petition regarding the Under 12 Rule, which states that only pediatric lungs will be prioritized for children waiting for transplants as opposed to adult lungs as well. According to the rule, adult lungs would have to be offered to adult matches before children like Sarah.
Shortly after, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, from applying the Under 12 Rule to Sarah on Jun. 5. Five days later, the Organ Transplantation and Procurement Network decided to modify the rule by making exceptions for it, although it still applies.
"I am so thankful to GOD, Sarah's donors, and the hundreds of thousands of you who stood beside us and fought for Sarah," Sarah's mom, Janet Murnaghan, wrote in a statement on Facebook. "We entered CHOP on Feb 19, more than six months ago. I never could have imagined the journey that lay in front of us. If you are struggling with something bigger than you, I can say two things for sure; God is GREAT and so is the human spirit. There are so many beautiful people in the world! Thank you!!!!"
Sarah received a double lung transplant on June 12, her body rejected it. Three days later doctors tried again and succeeded.
Tracy Simon, a spokeswoman for the Murnaghan family, said Sarah's lungs are the "best of her life." The family is expected to speak at a press conference later today around 4 p.m. at their Newton Square home.
