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My Brain & Medicine Birmingham, England 2026

My Brain & Medicine (MB&M) is an in-person event only. We would love you to join us in Birmingham, England on Friday 9 October 2026. This event is for anyone who wants to listen to the experiences of people who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis and learn more about the after-effects. There […]

9 October 2026
The Old Library, Zellig, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AT
View Event

Encephalitis 2026 - Registration

7th and 8th December 2026 Royal College of Physicians (RCP), London and virtually (Please note the attendance is both in-person and virtual. Those who register will be able to watch the Conference sessions on demand for 60 days after the event) Registrations are now open! (in-person and virtual tickets are available) Book your tickets here   […]

7 - 8 December 2026
Hybrid
View Event
Ultra Challenge events - logo and participants.

Ultra Challenge - Walk, Jog, or Run

Whether along stunning coastlines, or trails through wonderful countryside, your Ultra Challenge® will be unforgettable. Walk, jog or run - take on a 10km, 25km, 50km 75km or even a 100km Ultra Challenge.

Various Dates / Locations, United Kingdom
View Event

Full Story Archive

This section is intended for use only on the main Stories page.

Marion smiles for the camera.

LGi1 autoimmune encephalitis - Marion's Story

Our mum Marion was an independent, active and busy 82-year-old. Sadly, she passed away following seizures from LGi1 encephalitis. Early symptoms Over the weekend of the 15th to 16th July 2023 mum became unwell with flu-like symptoms. By the Tuesday (18th) mum became very confused, disoriented and unwell. First hospital admission An ambulance was called […]

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A man stood against a stone walk background wearing a red check shirt and smiling.

Anti-NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis - Andrew's Story

It all started early 2026 with flu-like symptoms: heart racing, night sweats, the chills and trouble sleeping. But no congestion or cough. I also felt really off mentally. A deep sort of anxiety, along with panic attacks, that I had never experienced before in my 38 years of life. It was terrifying, especially because I had no idea what was causing it. There were no life events or obvious triggers that precipitated the psychological symptoms, nor was there any obvious biological explanation for the physical symptoms at the time. This was only the beginning.

Read Story

Autoimmune Encephalitis - Lara's Story

I was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis in August 2015 when I was 17. What happened at school I was with my classmates studying for a quiz. We were in a garden in campus and I collapsed, head-first in the concrete and I was seizing. My classmates brought me to the clinic, and I was monitored […]

Read Story

Powassan Virus Encephalitis - Kathleen's story

On July 20, 2022, I was in the best shape of my life. My friend captured a photo of me on horseback, with a big smile on my face. The next day I went to the beach, but had a headache, and no appetite, a rare occurrence for me. The morning of July 22, and […]

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Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Encephalitis - Dita's Story

I was diagnosed with Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Meningoencephalitis on the 4th of September 2025. Early symptoms My story begins one week prior the hospitalisation.  Day 1-3 I felt mild headache and dizziness that I was able to control with painkillers.  On the day 3 retuning from work I noticed red rash all over my upper […]

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Viral encephalitis - Adrien's Story

There Is Life After Encephalitis: My Journey of Adaptation and Independence I was six years old when I became seriously ill in 1974/75. My family were initially told I had glandular fever, although later medical records from the hospital referred to a post-infectious viral encephalitis, possibly associated with mumps. I became critically ill and spent […]

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Viral Encephalitis - Sharmila's Story

My experience of encephalitis showed me not only how suddenly serious illness can strike, but also how deeply it can affect every stage of life long after the initial crisis has passed. I contracted encephalitis, a viral brain fever, in June 1970 when I was five years old. Before that day I was an ordinary […]

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Tiff standing in front of a football pitch smiling.

Meningoencephalitis - Tiffany's Story

One moment really shocked me. I looked in the bathroom mirror and jumped because I didn’t recognise my own reflection. I touched the mirror to check it was real. Before I became ill My name is Tiff, and I was in my early 20s when I became ill with meningitis and autoimmune encephalitis in 2018. […]

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Autoimmune Encephalitis - Jonathan and Elle's Story

Jonathan, my husband of 21 years, passed away from health complications following a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis in 2024. How it started My story begins in February 2023 when my husband started acting strangely and the “essential tremor” in his hands seemed to spread to his legs. He’d been diagnosed with an essential tremor a […]

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Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis - Daniel's Story

Daniel sadly passed away after a few years from a diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) encephalitis. This is his story told by daughter, Natalie.   Symptoms and diagnosis In September 2022 my father was showing odd symptoms like confusion and flu-like symptoms. My mother took him to the hospital and after performing several testing […]

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Autoimmune Encephalitis - Elise's Story

In the last couple of days of our trip, I couldn't really understand what he was saying to me, and I just thought this was my hearing after having blocked sinuses, and because we were in a foreign country and not really talking to anyone else, I didn't know that it was actually everyone that I couldn't understand; not just him. All I wanted to do was rest and sleep, and I was getting very angry with myself that whatever was said to me had to be repeated multiple times. I remember watching kids films before bed and being very entertained by them, like a 4-year-old would be. I did not feel in my right mind.

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Autoimmune Encephalitis - Stuart's Story

When I was introduced to my partner (of 30 years) I initially had no clue of who they were. Over the next two weeks I was able to get to a point where I would return home and slowly try and put the bits of my life back together. Bit by bit and very slowly my world became a little larger than feeling calm, with a sense of not worrying about things I had forgotten and focusing on those things I had control over.

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Anti-NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis - Zoe's Story

Zoe was once a bubbly, playful little girl — full of laughter, curiosity, and light. Then, almost without warning, that light began to flicker. She stopped sleeping. She cried without reason. The words she had learned disappeared. The tiny feet that once ran freely could no longer carry her. The sparkle in her eyes slowly faded.

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Autoimmune Encephalitis - Keith's Story

My journey with Encephalitis began back in December 2024. I woke up in the middle of the night around 4am and started to go into a daze and felt out of it like I wasn’t right. I ended up making it to the bathroom and collapsing against the sink counter breaking 3 ribs and then […]

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Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis - Aurora's Story

Emma shares her story of daughter, Aurora’s, encephalitis diagnosis. Our daughter was born at 34 weeks premature. I had bleeding and premature rupture of my waters, hence her early birth. Before labour, I had steroids, so she was ready for a premature birth. To this point, there were no concerns. Although she was born 6 […]

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Anti-NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis - Emily's story

My story with anti-NMDAR encephalitis begins in the summer of 2024. I had been fortunate enough to travel with my mom and my sister to visit family in England, when I started coming down with flu-like symptoms. At first, I thought very little of it. The constant go-go-go pace and lack of sleep combined with […]

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Infectious Encephalitis - George's Story

In early November 2024, I became unwell with what appeared to be gastro like symptoms. My immune system began fighting the virus but, in doing so, accidentally shut my brain down, causing it to inflame.   How it started I battled this at home for a week – high temperatures, extreme fatigue, confusion, and a […]

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Tick-borne encephalitis - Bill's story

Alarming symptoms hit me over a couple of days, a horror show of unbearable headache, fatigue, vision difficulties and loss of balance that put me in hospital where I had multiple intravenous drug infusions, blood tests, scans and a cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) sampling. I somehow failed to absorb the messages about potential outcomes and relaxed in the feeling the hospital staff were doing everything possible to sort me out. I credit this ignorance and confidence with why I didn't express the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is not unusual after TBE hospitalisation. That's not to deny this is an emotional journey and I went to some dark places under my own steam.

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Woman holding a koala

Enterovirus Encephalitis - Erin's Story

I had a seizure while in the coma which made things worse. My mum recalls the doctors saying I was "extremely unwell" which she knew from watching medic shows on TV was code for "it's not looking good". When I woke up from my coma I recall saying "where's my husband, I want my husband". No-one else was that important at that moment. I was incredibly distressed and confused. I couldn't move. Couldn't sit up or even roll over in bed. When my husband came and visited me he handed me phone which I immediately dropped and was convinced he'd filled my phone case with bricks.

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Young boy smiling at the camera

Rhombencephalitis - Elis' Story

Eventually, doctors agreed further tests were needed. He underwent an MRI scan, a lumbar puncture, and numerous other investigations. On February 23rd, we finally received the diagnosis: Rhombencephalitis - inflammation of the brain. By that point, our son was critically unwell. He slept almost continuously for three days and had lost both speech and mobility. We were faced with enormous uncertainty and fear, not knowing what the outcome would be.

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Woman holding a dish above her head and food in her hand.

Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis - Lucy's Story

I sat down and got hit with a horrid sickly feeling right at the pit of my stomach. Everything hit so suddenly when I was in the shower. I felt incredibly dizzy, I tried to shout for help, but nothing came out. My grandad heard heavy, laboured breathing, it was me. My younger sister found me seizing on the shower floor, gasping for air as my right lung had collapsed because my head was directly under the shower head. An ambulance was called, and I was taken to hospital.

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A boy smiles at the camera while in hospital

Meningoencephalitis - Cade's Story

In June 2024, Cade fell suddenly and severely ill. He had shown no signs of being unwell until one day, out of nowhere, he started vomiting, developed a headache and fever, and quickly became confused and disoriented. His parents rushed him to hospital, where doctors soon diagnosed him with meningitis. But this was only the beginning.

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Woman with dark curly hair smiles at the camera

Autoimmune Encephalitis - Maria's Story

The next morning, I woke up with a fever. The only thing that brought it down was paracetamol. Without it, it was constant torment: my head felt like it was on fire, I couldn’t walk properly, I was staggering. I wasn’t eating, I was dehydrating. Only IV saline and intravenous paracetamol helped. The relief lasted only as long as the medication’s effect. After a few days, I was taken to the hospital by ambulance: extremely high fever, difficulty speaking, unstable walking. Yet, after the tests, I was sent home. My vital signs were normal. They told me it was probably a bacterial infection and prescribed antibiotics.

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Man wearing a cap sings into a microphone

Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis - Daniel's Story

In 2017, I was young, fit, and full of energy. I worked as a primary school teacher and performed on many stages as the singer of a reggae and ska band. Life felt wide open. I had no limitations, no serious illnesses, and creativity flowed easily—writing songs, playing piano, editing videos, building things. Everything seemed to be unfolding exactly as planned, with a lightness I still miss today.

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Full Event Archive

This section is intended for use only on the main Events page.

My Brain & Medicine Birmingham, England 2026

My Brain & Medicine (MB&M) is an in-person event only. We would love you to join us in Birmingham, England on Friday 9 October 2026. This event is for anyone who wants to listen to the experiences of people who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis and learn more about the after-effects. There […]

9 October 2026
The Old Library, Zellig, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AT
View Event

Encephalitis 2026 - Registration

7th and 8th December 2026 Royal College of Physicians (RCP), London and virtually (Please note the attendance is both in-person and virtual. Those who register will be able to watch the Conference sessions on demand for 60 days after the event) Registrations are now open! (in-person and virtual tickets are available) Book your tickets here   […]

7 - 8 December 2026
Hybrid
View Event
Ultra Challenge events - logo and participants.

Ultra Challenge - Walk, Jog, or Run

Whether along stunning coastlines, or trails through wonderful countryside, your Ultra Challenge® will be unforgettable. Walk, jog or run - take on a 10km, 25km, 50km 75km or even a 100km Ultra Challenge.

Various Dates / Locations, United Kingdom
View Event
Images of participants in the Great North Run, including Encephalitis International supporters.

Great North Run

The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world’s biggest half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields. Register your interest for 2027!

12 September 2027
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
View Event
Image of challenge participants supporting Encephalitis International around the UK.

UK Challenges - Run, Tough Mudder, Bungee

Want to run your first 5k? Or how about the challenge of a marathon or obstacle race? There are plenty of challenge options in the UK to support us!

Various Dates / Locations, United Kingdom
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Image of challenge participants supporting Encephalitis International around the world.

Global Running Challenges

Sight-seeing and running combine brilliantly for these global challenge events. Run through must-see cities and past iconic landmarks whilst supporting Encephalitis International!

Various Dates / Locations, Worldwide
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Cycling challenge participants.

Cycling Challenges

From short cycles to epic multi-day international rides, there is a huge range of cycling challenges to choose from. Get on your bike and support Encephalitis International!

Various Dates / Locations, Europe
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Images of participants and the logos for the SuperHalfs Series.

SuperHalfs Series

The SuperHalfs Series brings together six epic destination half marathons which runners complete to secure their SuperMedal and a place in the SuperHalfs Hall of Fame. The events take place in Berlin, Cardiff, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Prague and Valencia. What an awesome challenge to take on in support of Encephalitis International!

Various Dates / Locations, Europe
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London Marathon

We have been unsuccessful in receiving a London marathon charity ballot place for 2027. The London Marathon is one of the world’s biggest marathon, with 55,000 runners taking on the route in 2025. Each year we are incredibly grateful to those signing up to the London Marathon, whether it is their own place or with […]

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Story Teasers

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Marion smiles for the camera.

LGi1 autoimmune encephalitis - Marion's Story

Our mum Marion was an independent, active and busy 82-year-old. Sadly, she passed away following seizures from LGi1 encephalitis. Early symptoms Over the weekend of the 15th to 16th July 2023 mum became unwell with flu-like symptoms. By the Tuesday (18th) mum became very confused, disoriented and unwell. First hospital admission An ambulance was called […]

Read Story
A man stood against a stone walk background wearing a red check shirt and smiling.

Anti-NMDAR Autoimmune Encephalitis - Andrew's Story

It all started early 2026 with flu-like symptoms: heart racing, night sweats, the chills and trouble sleeping. But no congestion or cough. I also felt really off mentally. A deep sort of anxiety, along with panic attacks, that I had never experienced before in my 38 years of life. It was terrifying, especially because I had no idea what was causing it. There were no life events or obvious triggers that precipitated the psychological symptoms, nor was there any obvious biological explanation for the physical symptoms at the time. This was only the beginning.

Read Story

Autoimmune Encephalitis - Lara's Story

I was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis in August 2015 when I was 17. What happened at school I was with my classmates studying for a quiz. We were in a garden in campus and I collapsed, head-first in the concrete and I was seizing. My classmates brought me to the clinic, and I was monitored […]

Read Story

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Dr Ava Easton MBE

Chief Executive, Encephalitis International

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Phillippa Chapman

Deputy Chief Executive

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Alina Ellerington

Alina Ellerington

Director of Services

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Calum Goodwin

Director of Partnerships and Fundraising

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Caroline Clark

Finance Manager

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Emma Collins

Patient and Public Involvement Manager

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Julie Welburn

Admin and Events Manager

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Jo Brooke

Trusts and Foundation Manager

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Poonam Mistry

Data Insights and CRM Manager

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Prav Prathapan

Prav Prathapan

Senior Medical Writer

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Vicky Burgess

Fundraising and Finance Admin Manager

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Alex Amareia

Digital Outreach and Volunteer Manager

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Ally Phillips

Personal Assistant to the CEO

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Anna Heister

Helpline & Support Manager

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Leisa Sherry

Graphic Designer

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