THE first person in the UK to have all of her major organs transplanted has died aged 46 – more than a decade after her ground-breaking operations.
Allison Angell suffered from cystic fibrosis and had a new liver, heart, lungs and kidney in a series of operations over 11 years.
She died on December 18 in the cystic fibrosis ward at Llandough Hospital near her home in Dinas Powys, south Wales.
Allison won a Pride of Britain award in 2010 for her bravery in fighting her condition.
The “national inspiration” realised a long ambition of becoming a GP in the same year.
Allison was seven years old when she was told she was among the 10 per cent of cystic fibrosis patients in the world with liver disease.
By 17 she had a liver transplant and two years later in 1997 she had a new heart and lungs.
She was not able to complete her education in the way she’d have liked when she was younger.
But Allison decided to complete a neuroscience degree as a mature student before starting a degree in medicine.
During her medicine course in 2006 she was diagnosed with kidney failure and her dad David John gave his kidney to save her.
Before returning to medical school where she qualified as a doctor she became an ambassador for the Kidney Wales Foundation.
She spoke in Westminster and the Senedd appealing for changes in the law around presumed consent, which went on to become law.
Under presumed consent, it is assumed a person is willing to donate their organs after death unless they opt out.
Two weeks after the major operation to have a new heart she met David Hamilton, to whom she had donated her heart.
They had a meal at a restaurant together where they thanked each other and spoke about their future plans – becoming good friends.
David even attended Allison’s wedding to Nathan Angell in 2013.
In an interview, Allison said: “It was only natural for him to be there. It would have felt strange if he wasn’t.
“He was like part of me. By giving away a heart I gained a second family.”
Nathan said he met Allison on a night out in her home town of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire.
Speaking after Allison’s death, Nathan told how he knew he wanted to be with her for life.
He said: “She always put others first. I’ve had messages from her patients the last few days.
“People are saying what a wonderful doctor and person she was.
“She was the type of person who would always give to others before worrying about herself.
“She always tried to make sure her condition wasn’t at the forefront of her life.”
Nathan added: “No matter what knocked her down she always got back up.
“There was the odd day when it got to her but not that many considering her condition.
“She could have thrown the towel in and sat at home but she lived her life with such purpose and drive to give something to her community and give back to the NHS too.
“She felt passionately about her purpose to do that. She was 100% a better doctor because of what she went through in her own life.
“I’ve been told by many people she was a brilliant doctor both compassionately and with her knowledge.
“Even up until recently when she was very ill she said: ‘I’m going to bounce back from this.’
“She always fought to keep herself going. She loved travelling and taking in other different cultures and seeing many parts of the world.
“We went to lots of places together and had a great time.”
Despite being very ill, Allison continued to work in her job as a GP right up until November.
Nathan said: “She never wanted to let it go, it meant so much to her being a doctor.”
Allison’s mother Helen said: “She was a very strong woman – always was from a very young age.
“She was strong minded and strong willed. She fought for everything and everybody and she loved a challenge. She did a lot in her life.”
Allison had no idea who donated her heart and lungs – though she sent an anonymous letter to thank the family.
But she was delighted to discover the identity of her liver donor following a TV appearance.
She received a Facebook message from the mother of a little girl who had donated her liver.
The mum put her age and the date of the operation together to identify her.
Allison said: “It was really touching. I think it helped her to know she had done the right thing and I had put the liver to good use.”
