Sepsis Alliance

Mel is an educator who splits her time between assisting in a fifth-grade classroom and instructing gardening classes. In late October, she developed a severe pneumonia that turned into septic shock. Her liver began to fail and she spent three days of her three-week hospital stay in the ICU. Knowing the severity of his wife’s condition, Mel’s husband, Clint, was shocked when she told him that she had checked in with her class via Zoom on day two of her stay in the ICU. Clint... shares, Melwell, she’s a different breed of educator, obviously. And when I asked her why she felt the need to log into Zoom and chat with her students, she gave me an answer that gave me serious pause ‘Right now, these kids have enough to worry about. They don’t need to be worrying about one of their teachers. I just logged on to let them know that I was okay.’ This moment with my wife comforting her students from her hospital bed when she was the one truly in need of thoughts and prayers is a pretty solid example of why teachers deserve all the credit. They deserve all the love and compassion and benefit of the doubt. We cannot express enough gratitude to all of our nation’s educators who, like Mel, have displayed unwavering dedication to their students throughout the pandemic this year. To read more of Clint’s story about his wife, click the link below.

After playing in the woods with his two sons, David noticed that his finger was starting to cause intense pain. Soon after, he began shaking and sweating, and his wife transported him to the doctor. The physician that initially examined David told him that it was likely cellulitis, prescribed medication, and sent David home. Thankfully, David returned to the hospital the next day and was examined by a different doctor who immediately sent him to a larger hospital. He recalls, My brother drove me there, driving faster every time he looked over and saw the red streaks getting higher up my arm. I was in surgery within 45 minutes of arriving. Doctors at this hospital determined that David was battling an invasive Strep A infection. Read more of his Sepsis Survivor story by clicking the link below.

As we prepare to turn the page on what has been an unexpected and difficult year, Sepsis Alliance would like to say THANK YOU to all of the physicians, nurses, first responders, and other frontline and essential workers. We’ve heard your stories throughout this pandemic the back-to-back shifts, the reused PPE, the emotional challenges, and the immeasurable strength that it has taken to persevere in these unprecedented times. We see you, and we are grateful for the sacrifices that you are making to support a population in need. Do you have a frontline worker in your life? We’d love to hear more about them in the comments!

On behalf of the entire Sepsis Alliance team, we’re wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays!

Did you know that when you give back to Sepsis Alliance this giving season, your support directly helps us expand public awareness campaigns? Sepsis Alliance raises awareness through campaigns like It’s About TIME , a national initiative to educate others about the urgent need to seek treatment when sepsis symptoms are recognized. Because as many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment, it’s crucial to share this life-saving information with as many members of the community as possible. Make your impact today by visiting: https://donate.sepsis.org/give/314998/#!/donation/checkout

Did you know that November is C. diff Awareness Month? Clostridioides difficile, often called C. diff, is a bacteria that’s spread by microscopic spores. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gut or colon which can lead to moderate-to-severe diarrhea, and sometimes sepsis, which can develop as the body tries to fight the infection. We’ll be sharing more about C. diff throughout the month, including how it spreads, symptoms, and who’s at a higher risk for contracting it. To learn more about C. diff now, visit https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/c-difficile/

While on a Caribbean cruise with her family earlier this year, nine-month-old Phoebe became pale, lethargic, and dehydrated. Her parents sought medical advice five times within 12 hours while on board, until Phoebe was finally taken off the ship and sent to a hospital. Once admitted, she was diagnosed with sepsis and bacterial meningitis. An air ambulance transported Phoebe to a hospital in Miami, Florida, where she stayed for two months. Doctors amputated her feet and all of the fingers from her left hand as they continued to battle to save Phoebe’s life. Her dad, Luke, says, Eight months on it’s still difficult to come to terms with what happened to Phoebe and how her life has changed. However, we know how lucky we are that Phoebe is still in our lives. We are so proud of the bravery she has shown.

Whether your insurance covers the cost of the vaccine or you must pay for it out of pocket, the amount of money you’ll spend on a flu shot is far less than the cost of medical care for flu-related complications, like sepsis. Take the preventative measure of getting your flu shot today. For more information, visit: https://www.sepsis.org//top-9-reasons-to-get-your-flu-shot/

John was a colon cancer, sepsis, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and asbestosis survivor. During his initial battle with sepsis, he was given a 30% chance of survival. His daughter Angela recalls, He had multiple near-death experiences, but continued to fight his way back! John’s asbestosis eventually developed into metastatic lung cancer. He surprised his entire medical team by surviving for 18 months after his diagnosis instead of the three months that were projected. Sadly, John passed away two months shy of his 84th birthday due to complications related to pneumonia, urosepsis and kidney failure. Read Angela’s tribute to her father by clicking the link below.

Sadly, sepsis is far more common than many people think it is. There are at least 1.7 million Americans who develop sepsis every year. In fact, more than one out of every three participants in our Sepsis Awareness Annual Survey responded that they know someone who has had sepsis. Do you?

Last October, Ashley underwent an outpatient laparoscopic procedure to help improve her achalasia, a rare swallowing disorder. Just two days after surgery, Ashley was fighting for her life in the hospital because a tear in her lower esophagus caused peritonitis and sepsis. Ashley spent almost two weeks in the ICU and a total of 31 days in the hospital fighting multi organ failure. Doctors told her that if it weren’t for her age and athleticism, she likely would not have survived. Have you or a loved one developed sepsis after what was supposed to be a simple outpatient procedure?

Thank you to the Gerardi family for organizing this beautiful fall fundraiser to benefit Sepsis Alliance! Kristen and her family spent weeks crafting these adorable handmade fall items to sell during their fundraiser and promoted the event throughout their local community. They were inspired to give back as a way to honor Kristen’s mother, Diane, who tragically passed away from sepsis two years ago. The Gerardi’s $500 fundraising goal was far surpassed the family raised a ...total of $2,359 for Sepsis Alliance programs and initiatives! Kristen shares, We are so incredibly proud of what we were able to accomplish and I know most of all, my mother is so very proud too. Did you know that we offer fundraising tips and suggestions so you can host a local fundraiser like Kristen did? Learn more at https://www.sepsis.org/get-involved/fundraising-tips/

Josslyn is one of Bug’s Angels whose life was taken by sepsis when she was just 18 months old. In the years since Josslyn’s death, her family fought for Josslyn’s Law in Indiana legislation that puts sepsis screening protocols in place as well as other measures to help prevent sepsis deaths. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic is emphasizing just how important Josslyn’s Law is. Her uncle, Trevor O’Hern urges people to go to the hospital even if they may not be sure it is serious, There’s nothing to lose if you go, but there is a whole lot to lose if you don’t he says. Watch the rest of Trevor’s recent interview by clicking the link below.

For pregnant women, a flu shot can do more than just protect them from the flu. It can also protect their child as expectant mothers pass antibodies onto their developing babies during pregnancy. Plus, according to the CDC, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women by up to 50%. For more information, visit: https://www.sepsis.org//top-9-reasons-to-get-your-flu-shot/

After traveling out of the country for a surgical procedure, Rosa awoke in extreme pain. She recalls staying in the hospital for only one night before being discharged with her post-surgery instructions and medications. Rosa says, I got home to the USA and got treatment in the ER just in time. I spent over a week in ICU, and another three weeks in the hospital. While there, I had three additional surgeries. Did you or a loved one develop sepsis after undergoing a surgical procedure like Rosa did?

Physicians and other healthcare professionals have seen a drop in routine visits from many patients, but new research from a team at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston is offering encouraging news for expectant mothers. Read the full summary of the study by visiting: https://www.sepsis.org//regular-maternal-health-check-ups/

Three-year-old Harper was taken by ambulance to the hospital after developing a rash and high fever. She perked up after being admitted, played, and asked for food and water. Doctors discharged her and chalked it up to a stomach bug. The next day, Harper collapsed. She was again transported by ambulance to the hospital. Sadly, when doctors tried to place Harper into an induced coma, her heart stopped and she was unable to be revived. Her mother, Lori, shares, I lost my beaut...iful daughter to sepsis all within 34 hours. She was healthy until that day she took a fever Strep A was found in her throat. A simple infection turned into sepsis. Harper is now recognized as one of Bug's Angels. Sepsis Alliance remembers the children whose lives have been lost to sepsis and honors their lives, their spirits, and their smiles by celebrating them as Bug's Angels.

This International Infection Prevention Week, it’s important to remind yourself of the critical infection prevention measures that play a role in protecting public health. Remember: infection prevention IS sepsis prevention! Learn more at https://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-basics/prevention/