Organ donation pioneer lived life inspired by Rocky | Global News Avenue

“It’s not how hard you get hit, it’s how hard you can get hit and keep going.”

Rocky Balboa’s quote is beloved by many, but none more so than Allison Angell, the first person in the UK to have four major organs replaced.

Her husband, Nathan Angel, said she inherited the movie character’s fighting attitude and never let a knockout hold her back.

He said that even in her final moments, she encouraged him to stay strong despite her pain.

A pioneer in organ donation, Alison replaced livers, hearts, lungs and kidneys over a 10-year period and dedicated her life to helping others with poor health.

Her father David John said she died on December 18, 2024 aged 46, but would be remembered for “rewriting the book on living with cystic fibrosis” Be remembered.

“She was given a chance in life and wanted to give it back to people,” said Nathan, who described her as a selfless, caring and very smart woman.

Ms Angell, from Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six weeks old and her first transplant came when she was 17, when her liver was replaced while she was studying for her A-levels.

She subsequently underwent a heart, lung, and later kidney transplant, which was donated by her father, David, in 2006.

David, a man of unwavering resilience, said that despite being unable to move after their shared surgery, Alison was at his bedside less than 24 hours later.

“I couldn’t believe it, the next morning I heard a ‘tat-tat-tat’ sound and it was Alison walking down the hall to my bed,” David said.

“Some people say the illness made her stronger, but that’s not true, she was strong from the beginning,” said Helen John, Alison’s mother.

person born with cystic fibrosis Meanwhile, Alison, who is not expected to live past her teenage years, continues to travel the world, qualify as a GP and help others with their medical problems.

Helen said: “She wanted life so much and wanted to do so many things and she was always so positive.”

“She doesn’t like to be dependent on anyone and she could have asked for help but she never did. We taught her to be independent so that she could carry the disease with her throughout her life,” she added.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, life-threatening disease that affects multiple organs and is caused by a defective gene that causes mucus to thicken and block the airways and digestive tract.

Allison was instrumental in calling for changes to the law Constructed consent assumes that a person is willing to donate organs after death.

Wales was the first British country to pass the law in 2015, and she spoke both in parliament and at Westminster about how her transplant gave her a new lease of life and advocated for more discussion about organ donation. .

Helen said: “She was ready to speak and explain how important it was to think about this around the dinner table before it was too late.”

“She wanted people to get the same joy from their transplants that she did,” Nathan said.

“She was proud to be a part of it.

“She wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t had the transplant,” he added.

Alison 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 in.

Nathan said patients would specifically ask Alison, “She should spend 10 minutes on the phone with patients, but she spent 20 minutes. That’s just her personality.”

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

“She always wanted to be a doctor. I’m really happy that she was able to do that,” her mom added.

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

During the time Alison needed a lung transplant, which required replacing her heart and lungs, she donated her heart to David Hamilton.

Mr Hamilton, who had been a family friend for many years and attended Alison and Nathan’s wedding in 2001, lived for another 16 years after the transplant.

Helen said: “They have a special connection and it’s great that he can be there.”

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

“We will never forget her,” they said. “How could anyone forget Alison”.