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Claire passed away on May 6, 1997, at age 31. Since her early teens, she suffered from a rare disease called hereditary angioedema (HAE). It's called "hereditary," but about 20% of the cases are genetic mutations, which was the case for Claire. HAE causes swelling in different parts of the body, sort of like an allergic reaction, but there's no allergen involved. The swelling happens randomly and can be quite painful. Claire's attacks often struck her gut, which caused agonizing pain like appendicitis. The pain lasts from 12-24 hours. There's no treatment for the swelling and no cure for HAE. The only treatment is for the pain. HAE can be fatal if it hits the larynx. A lot of people with HAE have tracheotomy scars as a result of having survived an attack in the neck area. Claire had never had an attack in the neck area until May 6, 1997. She was driving in Bethel Park and began to have trouble breathing. Since she also suffered from asthma, she assumed the attack was an asthma attack. She used her puffer, which didn't help. She stopped the car across the street from Al's Cafe and got out, probably to signal for help. She collapsed. Someone--I don't know who--called 911 and tried to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But her throat had swelled closed. She was pronounced dead at St. Clair Hospital.
I miss her every day. I decided to became a writer to honor her memory. I started writing within a month of her death. Eleven years later, in 2008, my first book, a romance novel, was published. I dedicated it to Claire. My second novel won a RITA Award, the highest award a romance novel can win. I won it on the night of what would have been Claire's 42nd birthday. Now I'm writing a memoir about my search to know Claire better. We were very different and we weren't very close growing up, though we had begun growing much closer in the two years before her death, which, of course, made losing her all that much more painful. If any of you have memories of Claire you'd be willing to share, I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at cready@gmail.com.
The first ever HAE Awareness Day is May 16 ( haeday.org). Please think of Claire.
Thank you,
Gwyn Cready MLHS Class of 1979 and sister of Claire Cready
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Jayne Lebowitz (Crist)
I have many memories of Claire...we became friends in 7th grade and remained friends through high school...we wrote letters for a while after graduation as we had both moved to other locations. As life does with most, we travel different roads and end up losing touch with those that helped to make us the people we are now. Claire was a great person, an amazing writer, and a really good friend. Even though she is gone, she is not forgotten!Lori Caskey (Cain)
Claire and I spent much time together including staying at each other's houses for weeks at a time. I always felt welcome at her house by her and her family and I think she felt the same way at my house. She was only 31 when she died. Even even after all these years it is still hard for me to believe she is gone. She was an amazing friend. I will miss her for the rest of my life.