Our daughter's death at 18 left us shattered - but she saved two lives
The parents of 18-year-old Menna Owen, who died following an epileptic seizure, are sharing her story to encourage organ donation. Despite a decline in family consent rates, Menna's decision to donate her organs successfully saved two lives.
Why it matters
This story serves as a public health advocacy piece, highlighting the critical need for organ donor registration and family communication.
Image source, Family photo Image caption, Menna's parents say she made "an incredible difference every day of her life"
A couple whose daughter died from a cardiac arrest brought on by an epileptic seizure say she has saved "lives in her death".
Beth and Malcolm Owen's daughter Menna, 18, donated her heart and lungs after she collapsed at the family's home in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 1 March 2025, dying in hospital.
The couple have since received letters from the man and woman who Menna saved, with both doing "incredible well".
"Perhaps Menna's purpose was to make an incredible difference to us every day of her life, and to save lives in her death," Beth said.
Figures show that family consent for organ donation across the UK has dropped by almost a fifth in five years, from 69% in 2020/21 to 57% in 2025/26.
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