A TEEN, 19, has died after taking part in the viral TikTok “dusting” challenge that went wrong, leaving her family “utterly devastated”.
Renna O’Rourke, from Arizona, tragically passed on Sunday after being in an intensive care unit for a week.
Dusting involves young people inhaling aerosols like spray deodorant, paint thinner or keyboard cleaners.
Renna went into cardiac arrest before later being declared brain dead after using a cleaning product to take part in the deadly challenge.
The teen’s heartbroken dad Aaron O’Rouke described how his daughter dreamed of fame.
He shared with AZFamily that his daughter always expressed her desire to become famous, but unfortunately, it happened in a tragic way. He mentioned, “She always said, ‘I’m gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I’m gonna be famous,’ and unfortunately this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.”
Aaron and his wife Dana shared their daughter’s tragic story to raise awareness of the social media challenge.
Dana said: “There’s no ID required. It’s odorless. It’s everything kids look for.
“They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn’t show in mom and dad’s drug test.”
The mom explained how Renna and her boyfriend used an app delivery service to have the cleaning agent delivered to their door.
Speaking to 12news, she mentioned that her daughter and her boyfriend had gotten a product delivered to their house via DoorDash, without her knowledge. The product turned out to be keyboard cleaner, and she was unaware of its purpose or use.
She expressed a deep desire to ensure that their personal tragedy serves as a lesson for others. She emphasized the importance of their story in preventing other parents from going through the anguish of seeing their child dependent on life support and a ventilator due to inhaling substances like keyboard cleaner.
Dr. Randy Weisman, from the HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, explained how inhaling aerosols can make users feel drunk or euphoric for a few minutes.
But such use can result in liver failure, heart failure and lung disease among other irreversible issues – or death.
He told AZFamily: “This is extremely concerning.
“When they inhale these chemicals in the gas it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body.”
Renna’s parents said that the only light to come from her passing is that her organs have gone on to save at least six other people.
Mom Dana said: “Through that we’re finding strength and purpose.
“She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else’s child from being where ours is right now.
“She will be unbelievably missed, leaving the most aching hole in our lives, but if her life is to mean anything, we are going to do what we can to prevent somebody else’s child from being where ours is right now.”
A post on the GoFundMe set up for Renna read: “On Sunday, June 1st at 1:30pm, our wonderful daughter, after 4 days in the ICU, was pronounced brain dead.
“She was the light in every room she walked into, and the pain that her family and friends feel is simply immeasurable.
“We want to use the proceeds of this fundraiser to cover the extensive medical bills, burial costs, therapy costs, and to spread awareness about the dangers of Huffing/Dusting, the practice of inhaling keyboard cleaner or similar.”
