By Cheryl Wood

A FIFE teenager who was rewarded for her bravery has collapsed and died suddenly, almost six years after receiving a heart transplant.

Family and friends of Sian Jones (18) were devastated when the popular youngster died unexpectedly in Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

Sian, from St Monans, started feeling ill six weeks ago but it was hoped she would respond to steroids and new anti-rejection medication.

She was due to have surgery on Monday and had spent the day chatting to her grandmother Grace Thomson before she collapsed.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out to determine why her body began rejecting the heart, which she was given in November 2001 at the Harefield Hospital, London.

Sian, who also suffered from curvature of the spine, had been presented with the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award in 2002 in recognition of her battle against adversity.

Her father and mother Chris and Karen paid tribute to a daughter who they said lived life to the full despite her condition.

They also backed calls for a change in the law to an opt-out system of organ donation and urged more people to carry donor cards.

Karen said, “There are a lot of kids who die and never get the chance of a transplant. Sian felt very grateful she got her heart.”

Sian, who lived with her parents and brother James (13), in Castle Street, developed a heart condition after suffering a virus agedthree.

She was the first person in the country to have both a heart transplant and surgery to straighten her back.

She had been a prefect at Waid Academy and was due to start an English course at Dundee University in the autumn.

She had celebrated her 18th birthday with a lunch at Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh only days before falling ill and, after being released from hospital, had gone to Dundee shopping with friends last week.

Karen, who manages the Harbour Howff cafe in St Monans, said Sian had enjoyed her final 10 days at home, spending time with her friends, helping her in the cafe and going to see the new Harry Potter film.

Chris said even the doctors and nurses at Freeman Hospital had been shocked by Sian’s death.

He said, “It was totally unexpected. She has had episodes in the past but normally she bounces back.”

He described her as a typical, bubbly teenager who wasn’t afraid to get up in front of her school and give a talk.

Karen said, “She enjoyed life to the full in between hospital appointments. She was the kind of girl who would go for anything you put in front of her.”

Karen added, “She wasn’t afraid of going on the highest roller coaster.”

She also said Sian was talkative and had “something to say about everything.”

A music lover, Sian was a fan of Fatboy Slim and Daft Punk, and had gone to T in the Park last year.

She also enjoyed reading, writing and drawing and spending time with her friends, who have been left stunned by her death.

Chris said, “She was very loyal to her friends and they were loyal to her.”

Some of Sian’s friends are putting together a tribute on social networking website bebo.

A celebration of her life is to be held in St Monans Church hall on Monday, where donor cards are to be made available.

Chris and Karen also urged people to log on to www.transplant.org.uk for more information about becoming an organ donor.