Sheffield Woman Overcomes Double Meningitis Battle to Run London Marathon
A 30-year-old woman from Sheffield, who miraculously survived bacterial meningitis not once but twice in less than two years, is now preparing to take on the London Marathon alongside her partner. Olivia Griffiths, a former secondary school teacher originally from Bangor in North Wales, is running in support of the Meningitis Research Foundation, a charity that has been instrumental in her recovery journey.
A Devastating Diagnosis and Life-Altering Aftermath
Olivia first fell seriously ill in November 2022, experiencing severe headaches, neck stiffness, sickness, and dizziness. Initially admitted to hospital with suspected viral meningitis, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to a transfer to intensive care. Tests later confirmed bacterial meningitis, and her family was warned to prepare for the worst.
Despite surviving, Olivia was left with profound, life-changing after-effects. These include hearing loss, chronic fatigue, migraines, memory loss, and coordination problems. After months of arduous recovery, she attempted to return to full-time work in September 2024, only to contract meningitis again just two weeks later.
Rebuilding Life After Illness
Following her second bout of meningitis, Olivia developed severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which ultimately forced her to leave her teaching career. Determined to rebuild her life, she retrained as a nutrition coach and Pilates instructor to better manage her long-term symptoms.
Struggling with both the physical and emotional toll of the disease, Olivia reached out to the Meningitis Research Foundation's Support Services team. There, she found much-needed reassurance, practical guidance, and a vital connection with others who truly understood her experience.
Inspiring Others as a Charity Ambassador
Inspired by the support she received, Olivia has since become an ambassador for the charity, dedicating herself to helping others affected by meningitis. One of her key contributions is sharing her personal story through the Meningitis in your words initiative. This project aims to build the world's largest digital collection of meningitis experiences, told in people's own words to foster understanding, offer comfort, and ultimately save lives.
The goal is to collect 2,030 stories, reflecting the World Health Organization's Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 and highlighting the real-life impact of the disease on families and communities worldwide.
Training for a Marathon with Purpose
Olivia expressed her determination, stating, "I was once told I'd be chronically ill forever, that my life as I knew it had changed and that disability would be part of my future. To now be training for a marathon is something I never imagined. I'm running for those living with illness, disease, and disability, and for everyone who has been directly impacted by this awful disease. Being part of Team MRF gives every mile meaning beyond myself."
Maya Groom, senior national events executive at the Meningitis Research Foundation, added, "Meningitis can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time – and it can kill within hours. Our vision is a world free of meningitis, and to achieve this we need to fund lifesaving research, improve access to vaccines, and ensure support is available for every family affected."
Groom continued, "This year, more than 200 runners are taking on the London Marathon for Meningitis Research Foundation, and 93% have a personal experience of meningitis. We're incredibly grateful to Olivia and all our runners who are turning their experiences into powerful action, raising vital funds and shining a spotlight on this devastating disease."
