The girl declared as national priority, dies

A teenage girl who had been declared a national priority for transplant surgery died Friday in a Santiago hospital (Chile) after her body rejected donor organs. Trinidad Gelfenstein, 17, underwent a rare heart-lung transplant on Wednesday and showed early signs of recovery before her condition rapidly deteriorated in the 48 hours following the procedure.

After complaining of fatigue for several months, the teen had been diagnosed on May 20 with pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH). The disease affects blood vessels in the lungs and is incredibly rare. Trinidad’s was the first case ever reported in Chile, and one of only 50 recorded cases worldwide since the first diagnosis in 1978.

Gelfenstein, affectionately referred to as Trinidad or “Trini,” received a nationwide outpouring of support. “Prayer chains” were formed across social networking sites as millions hoped for Trinidad’s survival.