Charity boss hails Claudia

Sepsis, or blood poisoning, claims 44,000 lives in the UK every year.

It is the reaction to an infection in which the body attacks its own organs and tissues.

If not spotted and treated quickly, it can rapidly lead to organ failure and death.

The numbers are staggering – every year in the UK 250,000 people are affected by sepsis; 44,000 people die (1000 of whom are children) and 60,000 suffer permanent, life-changing after-effects.

Dr Ron Daniels, chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, said:“sepsis is one of our biggest killers. With sepsis, time is of the essence – every hour’s delay reduces the chance of survival.

“It’s critically important, therefore, that in addition to improving systems and the delivery of healthcare, we educate our public so that, if they feel desperately unwell in the context of an infection, they’re empowered to just ask‘could it be sepsis?’

“As we make progress, so more survive. For some, surviving sepsis can be just the start of a long journey of rehabilitation.

“At the very least, survivors are traumatised and quite rightly ask‘why me?’

“For around 40 per cent of survivors, the term ‘post-sepsis syndrome’describes a collection of physical and psychological symptoms which can take many months to resolve.

“It’s incredible, therefore, that Claudia has chosen to turn her terrifying experience into something hugely positive – using her profile, her energy and her determination to make a real difference in saving others’lives.

“It is through the actions of people like Claudia that we can work toward our goal of saving an extra 14,000 lives every year throughout the UK.”