YouTube star Claire Wineland dies from stroke after lung transplant

Clair Wineland’s last wish was granted about a week ago when she was approved to undergo a double lung transplant for her cystic fibrosis. The YouTube star’s health took a sudden turn for the worse after surgery when she suffered a rare stroke caused by a blood clot.

The 21-year-old social media sensation died peacefully in her hospital bed Sunday at approximately 6pm. Her loving parents, Melissa Yeager and John Wineland, stood by her side, Laura McHolm, chairman of the nonprofit Claire’s Place Foundation said in a public statement Monday.

‘They saw her into this world for her first breath and were with her for her last,’ McHolm said in the touching statement announcing Wineland’s death. ‘Medical staff said it was the most peaceful passing they had ever witnessed.’

On August 26, Wineland tragically had a massive stroke that was caused by a blood clot that cut off blood circulation to the right side of her brain. She was then placed into a medically-induced coma.

On Sunday, heartbroken loved ones to the sassy and strong young woman made the final decision to take her off life support – following one week of intensive care and aggressive treatments that did not provide any progress to her health.

Claire Wineland is shown on April 4, 2016 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The social media sensation died Sunday, a week after she suffered a stroke following surgery for a double lung transplant

Wineland shared this photo to her Instagram page in May, showing herself in the hospital as she received CPT therapy

She posted this photo of herself and her mom just before her double lung transplant on August 26, writing: ‘It’s a GO!!! Surgeon said they are perfect! See ya’ll on the other side’

Wineland, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth, was 18 when she told her parents she didn’t wish to receive a lung transplant – a decision her parents initially had to accept, according to CNN.

But Wineland had a change of heart earlier this year, when her health took a drastic decline and any energy she once had to complete day-to-day activities had been lost.

CNN, who spoke with her family, said Wineland was required ‘to be sick enough to need the double lung transplant, yet strong enough to withstand the surgery and recovery’ in order to be placed on a transplant list by her hospital.

Late last month, she was finally approved for the transplant.

Wineland announced on Twitter the morning of the surgery: ‘It’s a GO!!! See y’all on [the] other side.’

When Wineland got out of the surgery, she unexpectedly suffered the stroke. Doctors went through ‘Herculean efforts’ to try and save her, Yeager told CNN.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, less than three percent of patients who undergo a lung transplant suffer a stroke from the time they wake from surgery until the time they are discharged.

The popular YouTuber had more than 250,006 subscribers on her channel

While the double lung transplant was said to be successful, Wineland suffered a rare stroke caused by a blood clot that cut off blood circulation to the right side of her brain

While Wineland’s family had to come to terms with the fact doctor’s could not save their daughter, they found comfort in knowing she could save the lives of two others – as she was listed as an organ donor.

Yeager told CNN: ‘Her right kidney was transplanted to a 44-year-old woman in San Diego, and her left kidney was transplanted to a 55-year-old male in Northern California.’  

The chairman of Wineman’s charity foundation also said in the Monday statement: ‘Claire’s remarkable family were so happy for the other families that were now getting the calls that the organ they had long been waiting for was now available for transplant.

‘They had been on the receiving end of that call just one short week ago.’ 

Bernie Sanders paid tribute to the late Wineland on Twitter Monday, writing: ‘You are in inspiration and brought joy to many. You’ll be missed deeply.’

The Claire’s Place Foundation founder is seen on November 18, 2017 in Goleta, California. Wineland was remembered by loved ones for her inspirational words and sass

Wineland’s mother told CNN she has found comfort during this trying time through her late daughter’s words. 

Last year, Wineland and her mom had been talking about the topic of death, when Claire comforted her and said: ‘After you die, you are closer to everyone you love… because you are part of everything.’

Yeager told CNN the words stuck with her – and reminded her that her baby will always be close to her heart and apart of everything she does.

McHolm further thanked the public for their overwhelming support, prayers and words of encouragement in her statement. 

What is cystic fibrosis?

‘Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes persistent infections in the lungs and limits one’s ability to breathe over time.

A defective gene causes a thick, sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs, clogging airways and trapping bacteria that leads to infections, lung damage and eventual respiratory failure. 

Mucus buildup also occurs in the pancreas, preventing the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients.

CF is typically diagnosed in infancy and has a life expectancy rate of 37 years old. 

There are approximately 30,000 cases of CF in the US, with roughly 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year.’ 

Source: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 

‘We know Claire was loved all over the world… thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your massive amazing out pouring of love.

‘We are asking to please give the family privacy at this time. They have so generously shared their lovely Claire’s remarkable journey with us all, but now is the time to give them some peace from the public spotlight.  

‘In the words of our previous founder Claire Wineland: “Death is Inevitable. Living a life we can be proud of is something we can control.”‘ 

The popular YouTuber had more than 250,000 subscribers on her channel and was  also a hit on social media. She served as the keynote speaker for a TEDx talk in July 2017, where she spoke about life with cystic fibrosis.

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