Claire Wineland, YouTube star and activist, dies at 21

“Death is Inevitable. Living a life we can be proud of is something we can control.”
 By 
Nicole Gallucci
 on 
Claire Wineland, YouTube star and activist, dies at 21
Claire Wineland attends PTTOW! Summit in 2016. Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for PTTOW!

Claire Wineland — YouTuber, inspirational speaker, and activist — died at age 21 on Sunday night.

Wineland, who had cystic fibrosis, founded a non-profit organization called Claire’s Place Foundation to support children and families living with the disorder. On Monday, the organization announced her death in a Facebook post.

Wineland's death came days after she suffered a severe stroke on August 26, which resulted from a blood clot that formed after a double lung transplant.

"After a week of intensive care and various life saving procedures, it became clear that it was Claire’s time to go," Laura McHolm, Chairman of the Board, wrote on Facebook.

"We know Claire was loved all over the world. Your prayers, support and encouraging words, have been a huge source of strength for her and her family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your massive amazing out pouring of love."

McHolm ended the post by sharing the following memorable words from Wineland: "Death is Inevitable. Living a life we can be proud of is something we can control."

Fans and people around the world who were inspired by Wineland shared their condolences on social media, thanking her for all she's done for the YouTube and cystic fibrosis communities over the years.

Wineland, who was an organ donor, has already saved the lives of two people, according to an email Claire's mother shared with CNN. Her right kidney reportedly went to 44-year-old San Diego woman, and a 55-year-old man from Northern California is said to have received her left kidney.

"Claire's corneas and tissue was recovered and she will be able to enhance the life of up to 50 people," a family services specialist wrote in the email. "Claire's gift is huge, I want your family to know that your daughter is a hero."

Wineland's family asks that anyone who wants to honor Claire's memory donate to her foundation, which will continue to assist people around the world who are impacted by cystic fibrosis.

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Nicole Gallucci

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.

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