By Maggie Newland | November 23, 2020 at 12:09 PM EST – Updated November 23 at 12:09 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The holidays will be difficult for family and friends of Deb Kelly.
Two years ago, on Thanksgiving day, she became the first person in North Carolina to receive a double hand transplant.
The 14-hour-surgery, at Duke, made history in our state, but what struck people who knew Kelly was her incredible attitude. Despite everything she went through, she was ready to take on every challenge, with a sense of hope and determination.
Kelly’s sister tells CBS 17, that Kelly passed away after a brief and sudden illness. Kelly, who lived in Youngsville, did not have COVID-19.
Although her death is devastating to everyone who knew her, what doctors learned from the transplant, which was part of a clinical trial, could help other people in similar situations for years to come.
Kelly’s perseverance and her smile have already inspired so many.
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