Byfleet Woman Fights Blood Cancer, Inspires Stem Cell Donor Drive
A Personal Mission Born from Hardship
Claudia Adolphus-Green’s journey reads like a testament to resilience. The 33-year-old Byfleet resident has battled blood cancer three times, with her most recent diagnosis arriving just days after her September wedding. What could have been a honeymoon phase turned into chemotherapy sessions, yet she’s determined to transform her struggle into something meaningful for others facing similar battles.
This Saturday, Claudia will lace up her running shoes and participate in Brooklands Parkrun—not as a symbol of recovery, but as an act of advocacy. Despite currently undergoing chemotherapy in preparation for a stem cell transplant scheduled for next month, she’s chosen to run publicly alongside supporters who share her mission. Her determination resonates deeply with those who know her story: diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in July 2024, she experienced a brief remission through immunotherapy before scans in March revealed the cancer’s return.
“I don’t want this to just be about survival,” Claudia explained to local reporters. “I want something genuinely good to emerge from what I’m going through. That’s why I’m asking people to join the stem cell donor register—because I know firsthand how critical these matches are.”
Brooklands Park Becomes Hub for Life-Saving Registrations
Brooklands Community Park, nestled in our neighbourhood between Woking and surrounding villages, will serve as more than just a running venue this Saturday. The park is transforming into a registration hub where runners, walkers, and supporters can sign up as potential stem cell donors without obligation or commitment.
The event runs from 09:00 BST and is being co-organised with DKMS UK, a blood cancer charity that works tirelessly to increase the number of available donors. For many residents in Byfleet, East Horsley, Horsley, and neighbouring communities, this represents an accessible opportunity to potentially save someone’s life—whether that’s Claudia or someone they’ve never met.
Bronagh Hughes from DKMS UK emphasised the stakes: “For many people, the right stranger joining the stem cell donor register could give them a second chance at life.” Currently, the register suffers from critical shortages, meaning patients often wait longer than medically ideal for compatible matches. By attending Brooklands Parkrun this Saturday, community members can help bridge that gap. Registration takes minutes, and the information could prove invaluable to someone battling blood cancer in Surrey, across the UK, or internationally. This isn’t about home improvements or kitchen renovations—it’s about renovating someone’s entire future through health.
What Local Residents Should Know and How to Help
If you live in Byfleet, Woking, Dorking, Guildford, or the surrounding Surrey area, here’s what matters: stem cell donation is straightforward, non-invasive, and could genuinely alter someone’s survival odds. Most donors provide cells through peripheral blood stem cell collection rather than bone marrow harvesting—a common misconception that deters potential donors.
This Saturday’s event at Brooklands Community Park offers a rare, local opportunity to join the register while supporting a neighbour’s remarkable courage. Whether you plan to run the Parkrun itself or simply walk over to the registration tent, your participation sends a powerful message: our community cares for its own.
Beyond Saturday, residents should consider what Claudia’s story teaches us about preparation and community resilience. Local organisations, businesses, and neighbours can all play roles—from bathroom fitters and kitchen renovation specialists offering flexible schedules for patients undergoing treatment, to community groups providing meals or transport to appointments. Keep an eye on Claudia’s progress and DKMS UK’s ongoing campaigns throughout Surrey. Follow local news channels and social media for updates on registration drives in Guildford, Woking, and surrounding areas. Most importantly, talk to your family about becoming a stem cell donor. You never know when someone close to you might need that match.
Source: Byfleet cancer patient runs to boost stem cell donations
