We are The Christie magazine Oct 2025

Jo Kelly Former Christie patient Jo Kelly is celebrating an impressive medal haul, with two golds and a silver won at the World Transplant Games in Dresden this summer.

In 2012 Jo Kelly faced the most difficult period of her life. Diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, she needed a stem cell transplant to survive. That procedure, carried out at The Christie, gave her a vital second chance in life and a gold medal-winning opportunity 13 years later.

Along the way, she has raised more than £12,000 for charity through endurance cycling and has become a passionate advocate for stem cell donation, regularly speaking for Anthony Nolan. The triathlon relay gold was the highlight of the Dresden games. Alongside fellow British athletes Claire Butler and Lindsey Blackburn, Jo raced to victory, demonstrating not only athletic excellence but also the powerful bond formed between three women whose lives were saved by stem cell transplants. “When we crossed the line together, I felt so proud. It wasn’t just about the medal, it was about what we represent.” Jo’s consultant at The Christie, Professor Adrian Bloor, commented: “I’m thrilled for Jo and her success at the games. What she has achieved is truly inspirational. “I am proud that through stem cell transplantation, we’ve been able to give Jo this fantastic opportunity in life. Her journey from patient to world champion shows the extraordinary things that can happen following a successful stem cell transplant and through determination to succeed.” For Jo, every medal is a reminder of what transplantation makes possible.

"It’s beyond what I ever imagined. Becoming world champion feels amazing, but none of this would have been possible without the transplant and the team at The Christie. They gave me my life back."

Jo, now a 40-year-old data engineer and mum of two from Solihull, is thrilled with her extraordinary results. As well as claiming world champion status in the cycling time trial, she struck gold in the triathlon relay and secured silver in the road race at the World Transplant Games. The Games also brought an emotional personal moment. During the opening ceremony, Jo reunited with her stem cell donor, Stefan Berens from Germany. The two first met in 2019, years after Stefan’s

donation had saved her life. Meeting again in his home country was profoundly moving for Jo. “To have Stefan there, cheering me on, was unforgettable,” she says. Jo’s sporting journey began as part of her recovery. What started as a way to rebuild her strength and fitness has grown into an international career as one of Britain’s most successful transplant athletes.

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