11-year-old given six months to live travels to Britain

AN 11-year-old girl will board a plane for the first time in her life this morning and fly to England to find out whether doctors there can save her life.

Jamie Murphy, who weighs just 35 pounds, will meet with a consultant to see if he can perform the life-saving surgery she needs.

Jamie has spina bifida and scoliosis and her condition is deteriorating so quickly that doctors have given her just six months to live. She requires spinal fusion surgery to correct the severe spinal curvature that is compromising her heart, lungs and kidneys, and is on a priority waiting list at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, but it is unlikely she will make it into surgery in time.

Jamie's parents, Emer and Peter Murphy from Graignamanagh, Co Kilkenny, went public with their story last week.

Unable to get a commitment from Crumlin that Jamie would get her surgery in time, the Murphys looked overseas.

They approached the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, which recently operated on another little Kilkenny girl, Zara Aylward, but were referred by the NHS to a private consultant whom they will meet with later today.

"They were too busy at Great Ormond Street, but they referred us to a private consultant and we have an appointment," said Jamie's aunt Triona O'Brien.

"I'll be staying with Jamie while Emer and Peter meet with the consultant," Triona said. "The travelling will be very hard on Jamie, but it's exciting for her as well."

Triona said Jamie had coped amazingly well with all

the media attention over the past week, despite her illness.

"Jamie's being very brave about it all. She thinks she's famous now," Triona laughed. "She even asked me this morning if I wanted her autograph. I wouldn't be surprised if she starts charging for it soon enough."

If Jamie receives a theatre date for surgery in Britain, it will cost the Murphys upwards of stg£50,000.

"A bank account for Jamie has been set up and the local community is already coming out in support of her," Triona said. "The response has been amazing."

Jamie's school has already held a uniform-free day in support of her and Kavanagh's Pub in Borris will hold a cabaret night tomorrow to raise funds for the cause.

People wishing to donate towards Jamie's operation can lodge funds to the Bank of Ireland, Graignamanagh in the name of Jamie Murphy, sort code is 906611, account number 26401283. Collection buckets are also at Graignamanagh and Dunnes Stores in Kilkenny.