Photos: Addison Rerecich, 1999–2019
Addison Rerecich of Tucson was a healthy sixth-grader who received a double lung transplant in 2011 after an aggressive staph infection had taken hold and attacked her lungs. She spent more than three months hooked up to an external lung that breathed for her.
Addison Rerecich
A tight shot of Addison Rerecich,13, in the kitchen making a pumpkin cheesecake in 2012.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich pauses to wait for her mother before entering her classroom for her first day back at Redeemer Lutheran School in 2012, after a double lung transplant.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich, right, receives a welcome back hug from Faith Miller during recess at Redeemer Lutheran School in 2012. Rerecich received a lifesaving double lung transplant.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich, right, looks at a ladybug on her sleeve with her friends during recess at Redeemer Lutheran School in 2012.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich jokingly lets out a cry after her teacher and principal, Michael Peek says he'll pile on the homework at Redeemer Lutheran School in 2012.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich, top center, poses for a photo with her class after returning to Redeemer Lutheran School in 2012, after a life-saving double lung transplant .
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich, far right, chats with Emiley Bungard , 12, far left, and Nicole McNamara, 11, during lunch at Redeemer Lutheran School in 2012.
Addison Rerecich
Tonya Rerecich comforts her 11-year-old daughter, Addison, before she is taken into surgery at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in 2011.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich recovering from a bacterial infection at Diamond Children's Medical Center in Tucson in 2011. Her mother, Tonya Rerecich, is a right.
Addison Rerecich
Addison Rerecich prior to admittance to the hospital in 2011.
Addison Rerecich
16-month-old Addison Rerecich uses her hands to sign for "more" food in 2001.
Addison Rerecich
16-month-old Addison Rerecich, shown in 2001, communicates through sign language that she is hungry.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Addison Rerecich, who made headlines and medical history in 2011 when she contracted an antibiotic-resistant staph infection that led to a double lung transplant weeks before she turned 12, died on Monday, Dec. 30. She was 20 years old.