By Aileen Robertson

A FIFE teenager who bravely battled cystic fibrosis since birth died just before undergoing a life-saving operation.

Francesca Burke (17) died at Freemans Hospital in Newcastle after being put under anaesthetic for a lung transplant.

Despite her deteriorating health, Francesca fought to live as normal a life as possible, enjoying time with her friends and keeping up with her schoolwork.

However the disease finally took its toll on her body and she was told she would have to undergo a transplant in order to survive.

At their home in Inverkeithing High Street yesterday, Eddie and Gail Burke described how their daughter was only hours away from the chance of a normal life when she died last Wednesday.

Mrs Burke (50) said, “If she could have got these lungs it would have been a lifeline. She went to sleep thinking she would wake up to a normal life. She was gorgeous—happy and smiley. Before the operation she was a bit scared, but hopeful.”

Mr Burke (51) and Francesca’s cousin, Nicola (33), had been told they were a match for a transplant. Such was the need for the operation, they were prepared to donate parts of their lungs.

“She needed the transplant so badly, they considered living donors,” said Mrs Burke.

“Eddie and her cousin were having the last part of their tests to be living donors when a (deceased) donor became available.”

A pupil at St Columba’s High School in Dunfermline, Francesca liked being creative and particularly enjoyed art.

However, Mr Burke said his daughter had a more difficult journey through school than most pupils.

Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs and digestive system, meaning Francesca got little sleep and was often unwell.

He said, “She was never able to just get up, have breakfast and watch television like normal school kids. People at school wouldn’t see what was involved.

“She would wake up early and have to go through sickness and coughing, and get some physiotherapy.

“But anyone who saw her in the street or at school would not believe what she went through because she was so positive and never complained.”

The youngest of two, Francesca leaves behind sister Jacqueline (22).

Mrs Burke continued, “After Francesca was born, Jacqueline was always in the sidelines but never complained. She loved her sister.

“All Francesca could think about was coming round from the operation, getting fit and just being able to go shopping with her sister.”

She added, “Her friends are shattered. Everybody liked being around Francesca. She made you feel bright. She had a sunshine smile.”

The couple had always hoped that a cure for cystic fibrosis could be found during Francesca’s lifetime, and Mr Burke is confident medical research will eventually succeed.

He said, “Eventually with time it will happen and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust is doing a lot to further research. It’s a very nasty thing to deal with and is a very complicated disease. Some cystic fibrosis sufferers can eat well and have few infections but Francesca was plagued by infections and was not able to eat.”

A funeral Mass will be at St Peter in Chains RC Church, Inverkeithing, on Monday at 10 am. She will be laid to rest at Hillend Cemetery.