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Organ donation pioneer lived life inspired by Rocky Allison Angell: Organ donation pioneer lived life inspired by Rocky
(25 days later)
Allison Angell made history in becoming the first person in the UK to have four major organs replacedAllison Angell made history in becoming the first person in the UK to have four major organs replaced
"It ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.""It ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."
A Rocky Balboa quote loved by many, but lived by Allison Angell, the first person in the UK to have four major organs replaced.A Rocky Balboa quote loved by many, but lived by Allison Angell, the first person in the UK to have four major organs replaced.
She took on the film character's fighting attitude, said her husband Nathan Angell, never letting the knockdowns hold her back.She took on the film character's fighting attitude, said her husband Nathan Angell, never letting the knockdowns hold her back.
He said even towards the end of her life she encouraged him to keep strong, though she was suffering.He said even towards the end of her life she encouraged him to keep strong, though she was suffering.
A pioneer for organ donation, Allison had her liver, heart, lungs and kidney replaced over the course of 10 years and dedicated her life to supporting others through their ill health.A pioneer for organ donation, Allison had her liver, heart, lungs and kidney replaced over the course of 10 years and dedicated her life to supporting others through their ill health.
She died aged 46 on 18 December 2024, but will be remembered for "rewriting the book" on how to survive with cystic fibrosis, said her father, David John.She died aged 46 on 18 December 2024, but will be remembered for "rewriting the book" on how to survive with cystic fibrosis, said her father, David John.
Allison pictured with her beloved dog Rocky, who she named after her favourite filmAllison pictured with her beloved dog Rocky, who she named after her favourite film
"She was given the opportunity of life, and wanted to give that back to people," said Nathan, who described her as a selfless, caring and very intelligent woman."She was given the opportunity of life, and wanted to give that back to people," said Nathan, who described her as a selfless, caring and very intelligent woman.
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six weeks old, Ms Angell, from Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, her first transplant was when she was 17, when she had her liver replaced during her A-level studies.Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six weeks old, Ms Angell, from Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, her first transplant was when she was 17, when she had her liver replaced during her A-level studies.
This was followed by a transplant of her heart, lungs and later kidney, which was donated from her father David in 2006.This was followed by a transplant of her heart, lungs and later kidney, which was donated from her father David in 2006.
A person with unwavering resilience, David said despite being unable to move after their mutual surgeries, Allison was at his bedside less than 24 hours later.A person with unwavering resilience, David said despite being unable to move after their mutual surgeries, Allison was at his bedside less than 24 hours later.
"I couldn't believe it, the following morning I heard a 'tap tap tap' and it was Allison, she had walked down to the corridor to my bed," said David."I couldn't believe it, the following morning I heard a 'tap tap tap' and it was Allison, she had walked down to the corridor to my bed," said David.
"Some people say the illness made her strong, but it didn't, she was strong from the very start," said Allison's mother, Helen John."Some people say the illness made her strong, but it didn't, she was strong from the very start," said Allison's mother, Helen John.
Allison's father David John donated his kidney to her in 2006Allison's father David John donated his kidney to her in 2006
People born with cystic fibrosis, external at the same time as Allison were not expected to live beyond their teenage years, but she went on to travel the world, qualify as a GP and help others with their medical conditions. People born with cystic fibrosis at the same time as Allison were not expected to live beyond their teenage years, but she went on to travel the world, qualify as a GP and help others with their medical conditions.
"She wanted to live so much and do so much, she was always so positive," said Helen."She wanted to live so much and do so much, she was always so positive," said Helen.
"She didn't like to lean on anyone, she could have asked for help but she never did. We taught her to be independent, so she could carry her illness all throughout her life," she added."She didn't like to lean on anyone, she could have asked for help but she never did. We taught her to be independent, so she could carry her illness all throughout her life," she added.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, life-threatening disorder that affects multiple organs and is caused by a defective gene that leads to the production of thickened mucus, which clogs airways and the digestive tract.Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, life-threatening disorder that affects multiple organs and is caused by a defective gene that leads to the production of thickened mucus, which clogs airways and the digestive tract.
Despite obstacles because of her illness, Allison travelled the world with her husband NathanDespite obstacles because of her illness, Allison travelled the world with her husband Nathan
Allison was monumental in appealing for changes in the law around presumed consent to assume a person is willing to donate their organs after death.Allison was monumental in appealing for changes in the law around presumed consent to assume a person is willing to donate their organs after death.
Wales was the first UK nation to pass the law in 2015, and she spoke in both the Senedd and Westminster about how her transplants renewed her life, advocating for greater discussion about organ donation.Wales was the first UK nation to pass the law in 2015, and she spoke in both the Senedd and Westminster about how her transplants renewed her life, advocating for greater discussion about organ donation.
"She was ready to speak and explain how vital thinking about it around the table was, before it's too late," said Helen."She was ready to speak and explain how vital thinking about it around the table was, before it's too late," said Helen.
"She wanted people to get the same amount of joy from a transplant which she got from hers," said Nathan."She wanted people to get the same amount of joy from a transplant which she got from hers," said Nathan.
"She was so proud to be involved in that."She was so proud to be involved in that.
"She wouldn't have been here without the transplants she received," he added."She wouldn't have been here without the transplants she received," he added.
At the time Allison was born people with cystic fibrosis were not expected to live beyond their teensAt the time Allison was born people with cystic fibrosis were not expected to live beyond their teens
Allison received a Pride of Britain Award in 2010, around the same time she qualified to become a GP, a role which her family said she excelled in.Allison received a Pride of Britain Award in 2010, around the same time she qualified to become a GP, a role which her family said she excelled in.
Patients would specifically ask for Allison, said Nathan, "she would spend 20 minutes on the phone to patients where she was supposed to spend 10 minutes, it's just the type of person she was".Patients would specifically ask for Allison, said Nathan, "she would spend 20 minutes on the phone to patients where she was supposed to spend 10 minutes, it's just the type of person she was".
"She wanted people to feel cared for," he added."She wanted people to feel cared for," he added.
"She always wanted to become a doctor. I'm really glad she was able to do that," added her mum."She always wanted to become a doctor. I'm really glad she was able to do that," added her mum.
"She wanted to live so much and do so much, she was always so positive," says Allison's mum Helen"She wanted to live so much and do so much, she was always so positive," says Allison's mum Helen
Despite often being on the receiving end of donations, Allison also experienced being a donor herself.Despite often being on the receiving end of donations, Allison also experienced being a donor herself.
During the time of Allison needing a lung transplant, the surgery required both her heart and lungs to be replaced, so she donated her heart to David Hamilton.During the time of Allison needing a lung transplant, the surgery required both her heart and lungs to be replaced, so she donated her heart to David Hamilton.
Mr Hamilton remained a family friend throughout the years, attending Allison and Nathan's wedding in 2001, and he lived for 16 years after the transplant.Mr Hamilton remained a family friend throughout the years, attending Allison and Nathan's wedding in 2001, and he lived for 16 years after the transplant.
"They had a special connection, it was great that he got to be there," said Helen."They had a special connection, it was great that he got to be there," said Helen.
Allison's parents said she asked them both not to forget her.Allison's parents said she asked them both not to forget her.
"We could never forget her," they said. "How could anyone forget Allison"."We could never forget her," they said. "How could anyone forget Allison".