Kimberly Miles, 33; Received Lung Parts From Sister, Friend

Kimberly Miles, 33, who received a lung in November 2000 in a rare operation in which her sister and a friend donated parts of their lungs, died Monday in Minneapolis from cystic fibrosis.

Miles was born with the genetic disorder that affects the lungs, digestive system and other organs. She managed to lead a full life in her hometown, Black River Falls, Wis., where she lived with her son, 9, and his father.

By 2000, doctors said they did not believe she would live long enough to receive a lung from a cadaver. Miles’ sister, Tammy Hoff, and friend DorMae Gebhardt, both in their 30s, offered to be donors.

The transplant was successful, and her new lungs, consisting of one lobe from each donor, worked well. But she soon developed digestive problems, probably from the cystic fibrosis.