OTTAWA—For the the majority of the 26,000 Canadians who died with COVID, their cause of death was sepsis. Commonly referred to as ‘blood poisoning’, sepsis is the life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs.  For those who experience sepsis and survive, up to half continue to suffer from long-term physical and/or psychological effects.

And yet, sepsis is little known among the general population, and poorly understood. 

World Sepsis Day on September 13 is backed all month with a focus on medical education for practitioners, public sport activities, and fundraising events like pink picnics, taking place all over the world.  Over 60 countries participate in World Sepsis Day and Sepsis Awareness Month given that sepsis affects developing and developed nations alike regardless of geography. 

“In 2014, my newborn turned blue in my arms. I suffered from Maternal Sepsis and my daughter from Neonatal Sepsis caused by Group A Streptococcus,” said Kristine Russell, Sepsis Survivor and Marketing & Communications Program Manager, Sepsis Canada. “My eight-year-old daughter still suffers from long term effects that include low blood sugar, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, dizziness, a learning disability, and medical PTSD amongst other Post Sepsis Syndrome symptoms. Forty per cent of cases occur in children under five. Awareness and detection are crucial to keep ourselves, our children, and our families safe.” 

Sepsis, and septic shock, is an aggressive immune response to an infection caused by bacteria, fungus, or virus, that causes tissue destruction and often fatal dysfunction of the victim's vital organs. Those who survive sepsis often lose limbs, have reduced or loss of organ function and suffer from Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS) with symptoms including PTSD, fatigue, muscle, or joint pain, among other physical conditions and psychological effects.  

Sepsis Canada is calling on Canadians to donate blood during Sepsis Awareness Month and World Sepsis Day. For patients with sepsis or septic shock, they often require red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, to save their lives.  The recent pandemic has created an urgent need for donors to replenish the Canadian blood supply.

Canadians are encouraged to donate blood this month and share the hashtag #SepsisAwareness to show support and to raise awareness of this critical illness. 

"We need to ensure Canadians are aware of how important it is to prevent sepsis and reduce the long-term disability of survivors. This includes keeping vaccinations up to date and seeking medical attention if you show early signs of sepsis,” says Dr. Alison Fox-Robichaud, Scientific Director, Sepsis Canada. “Canadians can do their part by sharing sepsis stories and educating others on what early signs of sepsis and donating blood to support those hospitalized with sepsis. Knowing what to look out for can save you or a loved one's life.” 

Many of the deaths caused by sepsis are preventable by learning to recognize the early signs, which include: 

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain/fever
• Passing no urine all day
• Severe breathlessness
• It feels like you’re going to die
• Skin mottled or discoloured

On September 13 and throughout September, tourist attractions sites across Canada are lighting up to show their support for World Sepsis Day and Sepsis Awareness Month. Canadians can see the lights at Niagara Falls, CN Tower, BC Place, Calgary Tower, City of Winnipeg Sign and La Grande Roue De Montréal, among many others-- creating pink or red monuments and buildings across Canada.  

For more information and the early signs of sepsis, visit sepsisawareness.ca or join the conversation by tagging @sepsiscanada and using the hashtags #SepsisAwarenessMonth. 

ABOUT SEPSIS CANADA 

 Sepsis Canada is a multi-disciplinary research network working towards reducing the burden of sepsis for all Canadians. It involves over 200 clinical and fundamental researchers including patient partners and their families from across the country.

Currently, the amount of money invested to address the full range of sepsis challenges, is less than $1 million per year across the country. Knowing that sepsis is a leading cause of death in Canada, it is important for Sepsis Canada to continue to grow its network and funding to improve early diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcomes for patients and their families. 

 ####

Kristine Russell

(403) 977-7022

communications@sepsiscanada.ca 

Marketing & Communications Program Manager 

Sepsis Canada