Join the fight against sepsis

Sepsis Awareness Month started yesterday (September 1) and the charity Sepsis Research FEAT is asking everyone to get involved and help save lives. Approximately 50,000 people die from sepsis every year in the UK. Worldwide, sepsis takes more lives per year than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined. This needs to change.

Sepsis Research FEAT is the only UK charity fundraising to support research to help find improved treatments for sepsis, while also working to raise awareness.

Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals rapidly out of control, injuring its own tissues and

organs which can result in multiple organ failure and death. The biological processes that cause sepsis are not understood and that is why more research is needed. Sepsis Awareness Month which includes World Sepsis Day on September 13 - is an important time for the charity and its supporters to raise money and spread the word about sepsis so that more people can recognise the symptoms and know when to seek urgent medical attention. The five key symptoms of sepsis are:

1. High/low temperature

2. Uncontrolled shivering

3. Confusion

4. Passing little urine

5. Blotchy or cold arms and legs

Sepsis Research FEAT is inviting everyone to learn these symptoms and to join the fight against sepsis in any way they can this September. Fundraising is great for spreading the word about sepsis while also supporting vital research. For anyone who wants to arrange their own fundraising activity but is stuck for ideas, the charity

has created a Sepsis Aware- ness Month fundraising pack which is available to download from their website.

A huge part of Sepsis Research FEAT’s awareness raising work happens thanks to the sepsis stories of people who have been affected by the condition. Anyone with experience of sepsis who wants to share their story this September is invited to do so by getting in touch with the charity or sharing their story online using the hashtag #SepsisAwarenessMonth21 Those who have not been personally affected by sepsis can also help save lives by sharing updates from the charity on social media or talking to friends and family about sepsis and the symptoms to look out for.

One of the simplest ways to show support this Sepsis Awareness Month is to donate to Sepsis Research FEAT’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/sepsisresearchfeatSAM21

Colin Graham, chief operating officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, said: “This Sepsis Awareness Month, more

than any other year, we need to spread the word about this deadly condition. It is so important that, after 18 months of living with the covid pandemic, we all remember that sepsis hasn’t gone away. Please join us this September by raising awareness of the symptoms of sepsis and fundraising to support vital research that will help save lives. “It seems unthinkable that in 2021 there still exists a condition that can kill a previously healthy adult in hours – taking the lives of five people on average every hour in the UK. Please get involved in any way you can this Sepsis Awareness Month. Whatever support you can give will be greatly appreciated and will play an important part in our fight.”

For more information about Sepsis Awareness Month and how to get involved, visit https://sepsisresearch.org.uk/ sepsis-awareness-month-2/ To make a donation text SEPSIS to 70085 to donate £10. Text costs £10 plus a standard message rate.

Colin Graham Chief operating officer Sepsis Research FEAT