Tributes have been paid following the death of a young pole dancer who became the face of organ donation after starring in BBC documentary ‘love on the transplant list’.
Inspirational Kirstie Tancock, who underwent two double lung transplant operations, passed away at the age of 27 in the early hours of this morning (Thursday).
Her family described her as ‘one in a million’ and said she was now in a place where she could party and pole as much as she wanted.
Suffering from cystic fibrosis since birth, Kirstie was given her second chance of life in 2011 when she underwent a double lung transplant when she was just minutes from death.
Her road to her first transplant – which included walking down the aisle just three weeks before her match was found – became the focus of a feature length BBC documentary.
She enjoyed two happy years before suffering chronic rejection. After being placed back on the list for a second transplant, she was lucky to receive a call the next day before suffering chronic rejection for a second time in May.
Her husband Stuart led the tributes and said: “I am sorry too say that at 00:13 this morning my beautiful wife and Lyn’s beautiful daughter passed onto a place where she can dance,sing, party and pole as much as she wants.
“There is also no pain and suffering now.
“Kirstie was one in a million and meant the world and more to so many people.
“As you know Kirstie is a fighter and fought to the very end. She went peaceful and pain free.
“I can’t express what we and the family are going through currently and hope you understand if we’ve not called you personally.
“To finish I would like to thank Exeter RD&E and harefield hospitals what they have done over the years has been above and beyond and also her two donors who gave her the extra five amazing years with us.
In a heartbreaking blog, written last month, Kirstie revealed she had suffered her second chronic rejection and was now too ill to receive a third lifesaving operation.
She left the hospital to spend her final days at home in Honiton, Devon, with husband Stuart and the rest of her friends and family and had drawn up a bucket list.
Kirstie, who has been credited with playing a key role in getting more people to become organ donors, wrote in her blog that she has come to terms with her fate and just hopes she left her mark on the world.
She wrote: “Every song has an ending, every book has to close, my story is coming to its finale and I’m here to tell you all just how beautiful it all was.
“I’m 27, an age I never thought I would get to see but due to miracles from medical practitioners and my donors I have been kept here to enjoy what have been the best years of my life, experiencing things I could barely of dreamed of.
“I always wanted to make a difference with my life, leave a positive impact on the earth. I like to think I have done that.”