Daniela Andrea Largo Sánchez died this Saturday after surviving the earthquake that collapsed the motel where she was staying in Pereira. The rescue of the young woman, 32 years old, went viral worldwide because it became a window of hope amid a tragedy that has claimed nearly 300 lives. Daniela was a cancer survivor, having beaten death several times, but this time she did not endure.
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Daniela spent almost two days buried under the rubble after the strong earthquake last Monday, until she was rescued alive to the applause of the crowd that had followed her search. She appeared to be in good condition, but already in the ambulance she suffered a first cardiorespiratory arrest that required 20 minutes of resuscitation.
Daniela’s health condition was delicate, but her family — especially her mother — trusted that she was out of danger. This very Friday, Martha Emilce Sánchez said that her daughter, although admitted to the ICU, was stable and that her tests were improving. But just a few hours later she worsened. “Many complications. Her kidneys stopped working, her pulse dropped, the blood pressure… There were several episodes my girl had and she didn’t hold on,” Julio César Largo, Daniela’s father, told EL PAÍS this morning.
It was not the first time Daniela faced death; she was a survivor. Five years earlier she had been diagnosed with bone cancer for which doctors recommended amputating a leg. But she, clinging to the diagnosis and determination of a single doctor, refused and continued her life with a prosthesis. Two years ago, the young woman had a relapse. The tumor returned and metastases were found in the lungs. Amputation was discussed again, but Daniela decided to stop treatments. She stopped going to check-ups. “She wanted that when God called her, she would be all complete,” her mother said. The tumor, without fully healing, receded.
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Daniela was rescued with her right arm trapped under a door and, finally, they had to amputate it. After resisting losing a leg for so long, the young woman was forced to fight her worst nightmare. And it was probably that crushing of the arm that complicated her entire medical condition.
It is called crush syndrome, very common in earthquake victims. When a part of the body — usually a limb — is compressed for a prolonged time, the muscle is deprived of blood flow and begins to release toxins. When released, these toxic substances enter the bloodstream suddenly and can collapse the kidneys, alter heart rhythm, and spike blood pressure. Prevention of this syndrome is critical at the moment of rescue, when specialized medical personnel capable of reducing risks are required.
Daniela leaves behind a 12-year-old son who has long been living under the care of his grandmother Martha. The boy, an altar server in his church, was waiting that Monday of the earthquake at his grandmother’s house for his mother to arrive to celebrate his birthday together, the day he would blow out 12 candles. Daniela never arrived. Her son blew out the candles without her but patiently waited at the hospital door to see her again.
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