I will be racing my first Half Ironman triathlon in Zurich this June. It includes 2km swim, 90km cycle, and 20km run. I want to use it as an opportunity to raise money for an important cause that also pertains to my scientific research. I'll be raising money to benefit the Meningitis Research Foundation towards reducing senseless childhood morbidity and mortality.

Meningitis remains a major global health issue with an estimated 2.5 million cases and 250,000 deaths annually predominantly among children. This is despite successful vaccination programs for many of the causal infectious disease agents partially due to vaccine escape and drug resistance.

I'll be training for the next 16 weeks before, during, and after work. With so many of my working hours being towards understanding Streptococcus pneumoniae, a primary cause of pneumonia and meningitis globally, it would be great if my training hours could also contribute to mitigating these diseases.

More information about Meningitis Research Foundation: Our vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. To achieve this we fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. We promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected.

Our vision is of a world free from meningitis.

“By 2030 we want to see meningitis defeated. This means reducing new cases of meningitis by 50%. Reducing deaths by 70%. Ending epidemics. Ensuring people get the support and aftercare they need. It is a highly ambitious aim, but one that we and our partners in this work think is achievable.”

Vinny Smith, Chief Executive, Meningitis Research Foundation