Allison wins the ultimate accolade (From Western Telegraph)

Allison wins the ultimate accolade

5:36pm Monday 17th November 2008

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A Pembrokeshire woman has found herself gracing the pages of this month's Cosmopolitan magazine after winning their Ultimate Survivor award.

Allison John, aged 30, has suffered from health problems since birth and has cystic fibrosis. She has survived four major transplants; in her early teens she had an 11 hour liver transplant and a heart and lung transplant. Her most recent operation came in 2006, when she was diagnosed with kidney failure and was donated one of her father's kidneys.

During the course of her most recent treatment Allison became an ambassador for the Kidney Wales Foundation. Among other things she addressed the House of Lords on presumed consent and helped raise £10,000 as part of the charity's Walk for Life.

Allison, who is now in her fourth year of medical school, was nominated for the Cosmo award by friend Anna Lewis of Hook.

"The Cosmo article said 'do you know anyone who is a fun fearless female?'" said Anna. "Nobody embodies that like Allison. She is such an inspiration to everybody and lives every day to the full."

The first Allison heard of the competition was in September when she was invited up to London for a photo shoot for shortlisted nominees.

On November 5th Allison and boyfriend Nathan were whisked up to London where they rubbed shoulders with a host of celebs, including Danni Minogue, Fearne Cotton, and Michelle Collins at the star studded Cosmo Ultimate Women of the Year awards.

Allison was presented her award by Vernon Kay who she described as "tall, gorgeous and lovely" and made a speech thanking her friends, family and organ donors everywhere.

"I urged everybody to think about becoming an organ donor," she said. "Without them I wouldn't be here today."

After partying until the small hours of the following morning, she headed to 10 Downing Street with Kim Cattrall, the Sugababes, Lemar and Alesha Dixon for a breakfast of smoked salmon bagels with Sarah Brown.

"It was an amazing experience," said Allison. "I was thrilled just to be shortlisted. When I won I was over the moon that someone has recognised how much hard work I've put into being alive."

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