Sepsis organ failure drug

A new drug could prevent sepsis-related organ failure and death by restoring the health of a patient’s blood vessels.

Researchers from The University of Queensland and the Queensland Children’s Hospital have successfully tested the first-in-class drug in mice.

Dr Mark Coulthard, from UQ, said results from preclinical testing using human blood samples were also promising.

“The reason for organ failure in sepsis patients is because the endothelial cells lining blood vessels become leaky,” he said.

A Geelong grandmother and volunteer English tutor for migrants and refugees will be one of many people celebrated during Volunteer Week this month.

Ros Barrow is a volunteer in Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services’ adult migrant English program.

The 82-year-old was born in India and in 1968 migrated to the Victorian town of Hamilton with her husband and three young children. Ms Barrow said the decision to migrate was because she and her husband wanted a better future for their children.

“We had an advantage because English was our mother tongue,” she said.

“I want to give back to this lucky country.”

After retiring from a 31year teaching career at Clonard College, Ms Barrow heard about the volunteer tutor role from a friend. Ms Barrow has worked with students from Burma and Afghanistan and is currently tutoring a student from Vietnam who has Down syndrome.

“I admire the ambitions of migrants as well as their desire to better their lives and the gratitude they display through conversations,” she said.

“I also understand the hurdles they face because of a different culture and environment and new language.

“I want to try to be a glimmer of hope in their lives by listening and helping them to settle into Australia by improving their English.” National Volunteer Week begins on May 20 and highlights the importance of volunteers in communities, inviting people to have a go.