When Jennifer Glithero woke from a coma in the intensive care ward at King’s College Hospital, she had no idea her life had just been saved by an emergency liver transplant. Nor that the cause of her sudden liver failure—hepatitis B—would change the course of her life forever.
Today, Jennifer is not only a survivor of acute hepatitis B and life saving liver transplant, but a World Transplant Games cycling champion, representing Team GB and holding the world title for women’s cycling in her age group. Her journey from near death to global athletic achievement is a testament to resilience, medical innovation, and the power of community.
Jennifer’s first real encounter with her diagnosis came after the fact—after the surgery, after the coma, after her life had been handed back to her. “What caused my liver failure?” she asked a nurse. The answer: hepatitis B. The words were handed to her alongside a book. It was the beginning of a long emotional and psychological journey—one that would challenge her understanding of herself and of hepatitis B.
As a child and adolescent psychotherapist, Jennifer leaned on her professional training to process the trauma and confusion that followed. “I didn’t fit the image I had in my mind of someone with hepatitis B,” she recalls. “That was my first lesson in internalised stigma.” With strength and honesty, she embraced the unknown, accepted that the source of her infection may never be found, and reclaimed her narrative. “Sometimes terrible things happen,” she says. “It’s not your fault. It just is.”
Jennifer’s physical recovery was only possible thanks to the swift, coordinated care of her fathers intuitive call to emergency services, paramedics, The Royal London, and the expert liver transplant team at King’s. Her hepatitis B levels were in the millions; her liver, mostly non-functional. And yet, against the odds, the treatment worked. Her hepatitis B is now undetectable.
But healing wasn’t just medical—it was social, emotional, and communal. Jennifer found deep purpose and solidarity in transplant sport. At the World Transplant Games, she discovered a unique community: “Never have I been in a room with so many people so happy to be alive.” That sense of belonging has become a cornerstone of her advocacy.
Today, Jennifer is a vocal champion for holistic health after transplant, stigma-free conversations around hepatitis B, and trauma-informed care. She believes in the power of storytelling, safe spaces, and community-led education to shift the narrative. “People living with hepatitis B deserve pride, not shame,” she says. “We need to dismantle the silence that keeps people isolated.”
Jennifer’s message is clear and urgent: no one should feel alone in their diagnosis. “You’re okay. It’s not your fault. Share your fears with someone you trust.” From crisis to championship, she continues to pedal forward—powered by gratitude, guided by purpose, and determined to show what’s possible when compassion meets action.
Her story is not just about surviving—it’s about thriving. And in doing so, Jennifer races ahead not just for herself, but for all those living with hepatitis B, waiting to be seen, heard, and empowered.
Like many athletes, Jennifer Glithero faces the challenge of securing public sponsorship to cover the costs of participation in events such as the World Transplant Games 2025. While Hep B Companion is not involved in fundraising efforts, we acknowledge the broader financial barriers many transplant athletes encounter in accessing opportunities to raise awareness and advocate for inclusion.
Find out more about Jenny’s story on her page @im_a_liver_2021