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5-year-old Red Sox fan and heart transplant recipient Ari Schultz dies

Ari Echo of Hope / Youtube

Ari Schultz, the five-year-old heart transplant recipient and mega Boston Red Sox fan, died Friday night, according to a Facebook message from his family.

Schultz, who underwent three heart surgeries and spent 189 consecutive days in hospital, was ecstatic when he learned he'd be leaving the hospital and celebrated with his own version of Xander Bogaerts' two-run home run. The video of Schultz learning he'd be going home in two days quickly became a viral sensation.

Schutlz recently received a visit from from Bogaerts and Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez who dropped off gifts, played some baseball, and invited the young fan to throw out the first pitch for Boston's game on Aug. 27.

That video was released by the family July 20, the same day Schultz was rushed to the hospital after he suffered a seizure Thursday morning and was later placed on life support in the cardiac intensive care unit.

"Ari passed away peacefully this evening listening to the Red Sox," his family said in Friday night's Facebook post.

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