Teenager who was DENIED a double lung transplant b/c he had marijuana in his system dies - after surgery months late because he had to find another doctor
A teenager who was denied a lung transplant because he had traces of marijuana in his system has died after failed surgery.
Riley Hancey, 19, from Salt Lake City, needed a double lung transplant after a battle with a heavy flu led to pneumonia, then contracted the rare fatal lung infection in November 2016.
He was a "healthy teen" who enjoyed both winter and summer sports, including cycling and skiing, but both of his lungs collapsed ten days after being admitted into hospital.
Hancey, who was working in Utah for his brother at a ski resort, needed emergency surgery and was placed on the transplant list by the University of Utah Hospital
But tests showed traces of marijuana in his system, causing the hospital to cancel planned treatment and leaving his parents and three siblings stunned.
The ban on surgery was upheld despite Clinicians at the University of Utah hospital warning that Hancey would die if they did not proceed with surgery.
In a general statement, a hospital spokesman said: "We do not transplant organs in patients with active alcohol, tobacco or illicit drug use or dependencies until these issues are addressed, as these substances are contraindicated for a transplant."
But after a crowdfunding campaign Hancey was flown to the University of Philadelphia after it agreed to carry out the transplant and on 29 March surgery took place and he received new lungs.
Only last week Hancey was expected to make a slow but full recovery and possibly return to his outdoors lifestyle in around a year
But on Saturday Hancey passed away following complications from the surgery,
A statement posted by the family on his Youcaring fundraising page, read: "It has been a long battle to save Riley's life.
"We know that in our hearts we gave him every opportunity to survive. He will live in our hearts forever.