'You gave us hope ...' - Twitter mourns brave Gontlafetse 'Miss Oxygen' Sehako
Rare diseases South Africa has confirmed to TimesLIVE the death of Gontlafetse "Miss Oxygen" Sehako, an internet sensation who touched the lives of thousands of South Africans through her Twitter and Instagram platforms.
According to the organisation, '"Miss Oxygen", as she was widely known among her followers, was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and hypertension. This rare disease affects the lungs and breathing, which means patients are dependent on an oxygen tank which they carry around with them.
Her last two messages on Twitter were posted in July while in hospital. βHospitals are too cold,β and βI'm scaredβ.
Miss Oxygen died on Wednesday. A Twitter account attributed to her sister Puseletso announced the sad news on Thursday morning.
I'm shattered π.
— Puse.letso (@_PuseletsoM) September 12, 2019
Thank you all for your contributions, support & prayers .God called my sis home.πβ€. Heaven couldn't wait for you , Goodnight my love. I'll see you in the morningπ. I love you always. #ICarryHopeInMyLungs#RipMissOxygen https://t.co/l6YhlMxwSb
Heartwarming tributes have since flooded Twitter:
#RIPMissOxygen
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) September 12, 2019
Your positivity inspired many! ππΏ https://t.co/loyQWi5bi2
One of us has fallen πππOur own sister #Icarryhopeinmylungs we have lost four souls to lung related diseases πthis year in our circle of hope, makes me wonder if I'm Next π€π #RIPMissOxygen till we meet again again.π pic.twitter.com/fwTvOsRvRs
— Brian Ndlovu (@Ideas_4change) September 12, 2019
Wooow this hits different ππI remember when I first saw her pictures and her story I just loved her and left her a message on IG Dm π .Her story reminded me of "Faults in Our Stars " ππ
— God's Masterpiece π (@MakatiniNyeleti) September 12, 2019
You faught a good fight β€#RIPMissOxygen pic.twitter.com/1sfKnnQB3N
#ICarryHopeInMyLungs ππππ Rest easy angel
— Sannah (@sannah_211) September 12, 2019
Didnβt know you personally but been following you ever since I got to know of you. Your positivity gave me life πΉ #MissOxygen πΈ #RIPMissOxygen πΈ pic.twitter.com/ZrTkxKX5j1
Now flying free. You will always carry our hope and strength. πβ€#ICarryHopeInMyLungs #RIPMissOxygen
— Ulrich Janse van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) September 12, 2019
image: justhurby pic.twitter.com/vDFcdynOrL
In March, Prince Kaybee reached out to her after she shared via Twitter that her oxygen tank was broken, and would cost her R11,000 to fix, money she said she did not have. βSo I've been sulking because my portable machine broke, I'm thinking how will I get 11k to fix it? My lung is struggling since it doesn't get enough oxygen.β
I want to buy you a new one, where are you? @Tshepo__Khomari find her please! https://t.co/9iqTYRqWec
— #CrossOverMusic (@PrinceKaybee_SA) March 12, 2019