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Beth and Malcolm Owen experienced a heartbreaking loss when their 18-year-old daughter, Menna, passed away following a cardiac arrest triggered by an epileptic seizure. Despite this tragedy, the couple finds solace in the fact that Menna’s organ donation has made a profound impact. After collapsing at their home in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 1 March 2025, Menna’s heart and lungs were donated, ultimately saving the lives of two recipients. Beth reflected on her daughter’s legacy, saying, “Perhaps Menna’s purpose was to make an incredible difference to us every day of her life, and to save lives in her death.”
The family has since received letters from the two beneficiaries of Menna’s donated organs, both of whom are reported to be doing “incredible well.” This personal story highlights the critical importance of organ donation in the UK, where recent statistics reveal a concerning downward trend. Family consent rates for organ donation have fallen from 69% in 2020/21 to 57% in 2025/26, indicating a nearly 20% drop over five years. In response, the NHS is encouraging one million more people across the UK to register as organ donors and to communicate their wishes clearly with their families.
Beth shared some details about the day Menna passed away. Although Menna’s epilepsy was usually “well controlled,” on that day she had felt unusually tired after working long hours and went to lie down. Beth found Menna later in the bathroom, where she was in cardiac arrest. Menna sustained a catastrophic brain injury from which she could not recover. This tragic event has motivated Beth and Malcolm to raise awareness about the vital role of organ donation.
In Wales, approximately 1.4 million people have registered to donate their organs after death, yet there remain 348 individuals actively waiting for transplants. Unfortunately, 16 people in Wales died last year before they could receive the organs they needed. Data from NHS Blood and Transplant shows that when a person is registered as an organ donor, families consent to donation in 90% of cases. However, when families are unaware of their loved one’s wishes, consent rates fall below 50%. Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation at NHS Blood and Transport, expressed concern over the declining family support for organ donation and emphasized the importance of registering as an organ donor and discussing these decisions with family members. He noted, “It’s the final act you can do for them to honour their memory and leave a lasting legacy to be proud of.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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