Teen dies while waiting for second lung transplant

Nick Lawrence, 17, of Herkimer died Monday while waiting for his second lung transplant, according to The Post-Standard. 

Lawrence was battling cystic fibrosis his entire life but was more recently fighting a chronic rejection of his transported lung. 

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease in which the body produces thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening infections and obstructs the pancreas, which stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

Lawrence told Dr. Ran Anbar of Upstate Medical University in Syracuse that he wanted to give up back in 2004 when he was 10 years old. The doctor convinced Lawrence otherwise and soon after, he underwent a lung transplant that turned his life around.

New lungs do not cure cystic fibrosis. Many times, patients who undergo one transplant end up needing another. Unfortunately, this was the case for Lawrence. However, his new lung did give him five full years where he was able to participate in many sports and physical activities.

Lawrence's funeral is Thursday at 11a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Herkimer.