Llywydd, last Thursday, I attended a ceremony in Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park to re-dedicate the Gift of Life stone in memory of all organ and tissue donors. This memorial stone was places in the park 10 years ago with the support of Kidney Wales and families whose loved ones had donated their organs and tissues. Two families were from Barry: Colin and Bet Burgess and Gaynor Taylor. Louise Burgess and Richard Taylor carried donor cards when they tragically lost their young lives. Colin Burgess wrote the epitaph on the Gift of Life stone: 'They cared for those they helped, and those they helped, remember'. Both families support the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013 to give deemed consent for organ and tissue donation and they welcome the lead Wales has taken in the UK. 

Two years on since the Act, there's been continued and increased public support for the new organ donation system in Wales and it's good to see the Welsh public embracing the changes that are designed to save lives. Colin, Bet and Gaynor continue to speak up for organ donation as a precious gift so others might live and I thank them for their courage and inspiration.