A teenage girl Brandy aided in her search for a heart transplant has died less than four months after having surgery. 17-year-old Jessica Harris lived in McComb, Mississippi, which is also Brandy's hometown. In a statement, Brandy and her family said, "Jessica was and will always be an inspiration to our family. In the face of her illness, her courageous spirit and positive outlook gave us memories we will cherish for a lifetime.”

Brandy also thanked those who donated money and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, which carried out Harris’ transplant. Jessica died at a New York hospital last Thursday. Brandy befriended Jessica last year and joined her family in a campaign to raise money for surgery to correct her congenital heart defect. Harris, who suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, was denied medical insurance through her father’s job because she was deemed to have a preexisting condition.

(Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)