2025 marks fifteen years since I joined Meningitis Research Foundation – something that feels like both a personal achievement and a humbling reminder of why our work matters so deeply. When I first joined, I couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead – the challenges we’ve faced, the progress we’ve witnessed and the lives we’ve impacted.
One thing that’s really shaped my perspective is working with meningitis data alongside supporting families. Behind every statistic is a real person with hopes, dreams and loved ones whose lives have been permanently altered by this disease. When I review case numbers, I'm constantly aware that each figure represents someone’s child, parent, sibling, or friend.
I’ve learned that meningitis doesn’t discriminate – it can affect anyone, at any age, from any background – and its impact can last a lifetime. Data helps us measure our progress, but it’s the real people behind those numbers who remind us why this work matters so deeply.
Personal stories are incredibly powerful because they can bring people affected together and help them heal. It also unites the wider community in a common mission such as promoting the importance of vaccination because no family wants others to experience what they have.
Meningitis can be difficult to comprehend until you hear firsthand accounts of how quickly it strikes, how devastating its effects can be, and how families rebuild their lives afterwards. Personal stories help us understand not just the medical impact, but also the emotional, financial, and social ripple effects that may last for years or even generations.
One of the moments I’m most proud of is seeing the impact of our policy and advocacy work when new vaccines were introduced into the national immunisation schedule. Hearing stories of how these vaccines have saved countless lives across the UK, and I’m proud to have played a small part in that.
I’m also proud that we’ve expanded our focus to tackle meningitis globally, through initiatives like the World Health Organization-led roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030 – and by developing tools like the Meningitis Progress Tracker, which helps advocates across the world use data to drive change.
To mark fifteen years at Meningitis Research Foundation, I decided to do something a little different – I’m running the London Marathon with my partner, Tara, who’s an ultra-runner.
It’s been a new kind of challenge for me. I’m used to working behind the scenes with data and policy, but preparing for something so public has made me reflect on how deeply connected I feel to the cause. It’s reminded me how powerful individual action can be, and how everyone – in their own way – can help raise awareness of meningitis and its impact.
If you’re thinking about getting involved – whether by fundraising, donating, volunteering or sharing your story through Meningitis in your words – I’d say go for it. Every single contribution really does make a difference.
Read more about Claire's fundraising challenge here.