Researchers refurbishing lungs once rejected for transplant

WKTC | Monica Robins

CLEVELAND -- Sal Pulito is one of four people in Ohio waiting for a heart/lung transplant.

According to Lifebanc, there are 118 Ohioans waiting for lungs alone.

"I don't know what it's like to breathe normally, but I'm looking forward to achieving my goals and living the life that I always wanted to live," Sal says.

He was born with a heart defect called Pulmonary Atresia that limits blood and oxygen flow to his lungs. Even walking can be difficult.

To learn more about Sal's battle, click HERE.

Last month, Sal received the call he'd been waiting for. A donor had been found. Sal went to the Cleveland Clinic and prepped for surgery, but then his surgeon told him the organs weren't good enough to be transplanted.

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