An organ donation pioneer lived his life inspired by Rocky

“It’s not about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can be hit and still move 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.

She adopted the film character’s combative attitude, said her husband Nathan Angell, never letting the upsets hold her back.

He said that even towards the end of his life, she encouraged him to stay strong, even though she was suffering.

A pioneer in organ donation, Allison had her liver, heart, lungs and kidneys replaced over a 10-year period and dedicated her life to supporting others in poor health.

She died aged 46 on December 18, 2024, but will be remembered for “rewriting the book” on how to survive with cystic fibrosis, said her father, David John.

“She was given an opportunity at life and she wanted to give it 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, had her first transplant at the age of 17, when she underwent a liver replacement while studying for her BA.

This was followed by a transplant of his heart, lungs and later a kidney, which were donated by his 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.

“I couldn’t believe it, the next morning I heard a ‘tap tap tap’ and it was Allison, she had walked down the hall to my bed,” David said.

“Some people say the illness made her strong, but that’s not the case, she was strong from the start,” said Allison’s mother, Helen John.

People born with cystic fibrosis At the same time, Allison was not expected to live beyond her teenage years, but she continued to travel the world, become a general practitioner, and help others with their health problems.

“She wanted to live so much and do so many things, she was always very positive,” Helen said.

“She didn’t like to rely on anyone, she could have asked for help but she never did. We taught her to be independent so that she could carry her illness throughout her life,” he said. she added.

Cystic fibrosis is a potentially fatal inherited disease that affects multiple organs and is caused by a faulty gene that results in the production of thickened mucus that blocks the airways and digestive tract.

Allison played a monumental role in calling for changes in the law regarding presumed consent to assume that a person is willing to donate their organs after death.

Wales was the first country in the UK to pass the law in 2015, and she spoke to the Senedd and Westminster about how her transplants have renewed her life, pleading for greater discussion about donation. organs.

“She was ready to speak and explain how vital it was to think about it around the table, before it was too late,” Helen said.

“She wanted people to feel the same joy from a transplant that she received from her own,” Nathan said.

“She was so proud to be a part of this.

“She wouldn’t be here without the transplants she received,” he added.

Allison received a Pride of Britain Award in 2010, around the same time she qualified to become a GP, a role her family said she excelled at.

Patients were specifically asking for Allison, Nathan said, “she would spend 20 minutes on the phone with patients when she was supposed to spend 10 minutes, that’s just the type of person she was.”

“She wanted people to feel cared for,” he added.

“She always wanted to become a doctor. I’m really happy she was able to do it,” added her mother.

Although she is often the recipient of donations, Allison has also experienced being a donor herself.

Back when Allison needed a lung transplant, the operation required replacing her heart and lungs, so she donated her heart to David Hamilton.

Mr Hamilton remained a family friend over the years, attending Allison and Nathan’s wedding in 2001, and he lived 16 years after the transplant.

“They had a special connection, it was great that he could be there,” Helen said.

Allison’s parents said she asked them both not to forget her.

“We can never forget him,” they said. “How could anyone forget Allison.”