AN ABERYSTWYTH couple have received glowing praise from a minister for their “courageous” work in helping bring about a change in organ donation laws.

In December, Wales became the first nation in the UK to switch to an “opt-out” system of organ donation, where adults in Wales are now presumed to consent to donating their organs after death unless they have opted out.

Teresa and Alan Wilkin, of Penparcau, have been campaigning for greater awareness of the importance of organ donation since the tragic death of their daughter Claire in 2010, who died of a brain aneurysm at the age of just 34.

Without the knowledge of her parents, Claire had signed the Organ Donor Register and in line with her wishes, her donated organs — including her heart, kidneys, pancreas and a lung — saved five lives.

Teresa and Alan, who in 2014 opened the Organ Donor Garden in Penparcau in memory of Claire, have received a letter from the Welsh Government minister for health, Mark Drakeford AM, thanking them for the role they played in changing the law.

The letter read: “I am writing to express my gratitude, and that of the Welsh Government, for your hard work and support in increasing awareness of organ donation and the change to an opt-out system in Wales.

“I was moved by your experiences and I am very grateful for the substantial amount of time you have dedicated to share your story.

“I hope you are proud of the role you have played in supporting the change in the consent system for organ donation in Wales.”

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