Allison Angell, the first UK patient to have all of her major organs transplanted, has died aged 46. Allison, who suffered from cystic fibrosis and had a new liver, heart, lungs and kidney in a series of operations over 11 years, died on December 18 at the cystic fibrosis ward at Llandough Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan near her home in Dinas Powys where she lived with her husband Nathan Angell.
Allison, who won a Pride of Britain award in 2010 for her bravery in fighting her condition, realised a long ambition of becoming a GP in the same year. A loved doctor and friend to many, Allison will be remembered as someone who gave so much of herself to others and never let her condition determine her life, Nathan told WalesOnline.
Allison was seven years old when she was told she was one of 10% 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. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Having not been able to complete her education in the way she’d have liked when she was younger, Allison decided to complete a neuroscience degree as a mature student before starting a degree in medicine. It was during her medicine course in 2006 when she was diagnosed with kidney failure and her father 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 where she spoke in Westminster and the Senedd appealing for changes in the law around presumed consent to assume a person is willing to donate their organs after death other than if they opt out, which went on to become law in the UK. She then returned to medical school to qualify as a doctor which she continued to do and enjoy until the end of her life.
In an interview with WalesOnline in 2018 she remembered how two weeks after the major operation to have a new heart she met David Hamilton who she had donated her heart to. She said they had a meal at a restaurant together where they thanked each other and spoke about their plans for the future and became good friends.
Allison Angell (left) became the first person in Wales to have all her major organs transplanted -Credit:Media Wales
Allison was seven years old when she was told she was one of 10% of cystic fibrosis patients in the world with liver disease -Credit:South Wales Echo
Allison collects her award at the Pride of Britain awards in 2010 from Tom Jones -Credit:Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror
David even attended Allison and Nathan’s wedding in 2013. Reflecting on the wedding 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.”
Speaking following Allison’s passing Nathan said when he met her on a night out in Allison’s home town of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire he knew he wanted to be with her for life. “She always put others first,” Nathan said. “I’ve had messages from her patients the last few days 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. 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, performing a homeworking role to keep her busy. “She never wanted to let it go, it meant so much to her being a doctor,” Nathan added.
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.”
While Allison had no idea who donated her heart and lungs – though she sent an anonymous letter to thank the family – 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, who put her age and the date of the operation together to identify her. “It was really touching,” Allison said when she found out. “I think it helped her to know she had done the right thing and I had put the liver to good use.”