Winnipeg girl dies awaiting heart transplant

A 19-year-old Winnipeg woman who was waiting for a heart transplant has died.

Jessica Bondarhad been waiting for the transplant at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital after suffering life-threatening complications from the flu almost two years ago.

ShediedWednesday morning after suffering a secondary stroke two days earlier,hermother Charlotte Roy told CBC News.

Roy, who lives in Montreal,said she will continue her daughter's fight toencourage people to signorgan donor cards.

Aunt charged in trust fund theft

Bondar was in the news last monthwhen her aunt was charged with allegedly stealing money from a trust fund set up for Bondar's medical expenses.

Cheryl Matheson, 38, set upthe trust fund in 2009 and made a public plea to raise money for Bondar.

Matheson was arrested on fraud charges in Winnipeg on March 23, 2011,after police said she had withdrawn much ofthe approximately $30,000 and used it forpersonal purchases.

Bondar told CBC News at that timethat she and her aunt were the only two with access to the account.

She said her family woulddrop the charges if the money was returned, butshewanted to focus on getting better so she couldtravel and one day get married.