A heartbreaking incident at a friend’s house in Newport saw a young man’s life tragically cut short. Luke Anning, a 19-year-old described as a ‘joker’, had been enjoying Christmas celebrations in 2018 before staying over at a friend’s house for a casual evening. Luke had asthma, which was usually well managed. However, on that fateful night, he experienced an asthma attack that led to a cardiac arrest and subsequent collapse. Despite efforts from emergency services, Luke was declared brain dead due to oxygen deprivation and passed away on January 4, 2019.
Luke’s mother, Sam Phillips, shared the story of her son’s untimely death to raise awareness of the dangers of asthma, describing it as a “silent killer”. Following Luke’s passing, Sam made the decision to donate his kidneys, pancreas, and liver, with his liver saving a woman’s life. Sam highlighted the importance of taking asthma seriously and urged parents to ensure regular asthma check-ups for their children to prevent similar devastating losses. Luke’s vibrant personality and love for make-up and fake tan were fondly remembered by his family and friends.
Sam is honouring Luke’s memory by participating in the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise funds for Asthma + Lung UK, a charity that supports lung disease research and patient care. Through her continued advocacy, Sam aims to prevent further tragedies caused by asthma attacks and keep Luke’s legacy alive.