World Sepsis Day 2023
Transforming the Trajectory of Sepsis Research
As the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is changing the landscape of health research and care, the importance of knowledge dissemination to improve the health literacy of ALL Canadians and empower them to take charge of their own health can’t be understated. This is a key tenant of the Café Scientifique program, launched by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and our motivation to host our event, “Transforming the Trajectory of Sepsis Research: A Multidisciplinary Forum that Redefines the Who, What, Why, and How”.
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening medical emergency. Surprising to many, sepsis is the deadliest health condition, killing more people worldwide than cancer. By bringing together healthcare providers, researchers, people with lived experience, and members of the public at large, we hope to inform, engage, and empower Canadians on what sepsis is, why it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms, and how to avoid it.
“Transforming the Trajectory of Sepsis” will be an open forum event to facilitate meaningful and open discussions (knowledge exchange) to share research evidence on sepsis, across the continuum of care.
The event will take place at the Art Gallery of Hamilton and the evening will be kicked off with an address to the audience about significance of World Sepsis Day, and the Hamilton Sign will be lit up pink to signify the worldwide fight against sepsis.
To learn more and register, click here.
Past Events
Sepsis Public Awareness Campaign (2021 & 2022)
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's overreaction to an infection. 1 person dies of sepsis every 2.8 seconds worldwide and those who survive have long-term impacts on their health. However, many people are not aware of what sepsis is...
To mark World Sepsis Day (September 13th), Sepsis Canada partnered with the BC Sepsis Network, Canadian Critical Care Translational Biology Group, Canadian Sepsis Foundation, Dr. Parsons Leigh's Applied Health Research & Knowledge Mobilization Lab with in-kind support from Action on Sepsis to create a comprehensive Sepsis Awareness Campaign. Throughout the month of September, Sepsis Canada and its partners shared information on sepsis via a digital public awareness campaign on Facebook and Instagram.
Supported By
Sepsis Canada and Canadian Blood Services Partnership
Sepsis Canada partnered with Canadian Blood Services for the month of September to raise sepsis awareness and promote blood donations for individuals affected by sepsis. Canadian Blood Services raised sepsis awareness by sharing information about sepsis online, through social media and at their donor centres. Additionally, Canadian Blood Services interviewed Christine Caron and Dr. Alison Fox-Robichaud and published an article outlining "Why Blood Donations Are Crucial For Patients With Sepsis".
"Christine Caron lost three limbs to Sepsis, and without blood, she would have died because of her body's extreme response to an infection from a dog bite. "
Blood components are a lifesaving part of treatment for individuals affected by sepsis. Sepsis Canada encourages Canadians to book appointments to donate blood, plasma, or platelets at Canadian Blood Services Donor Centres.
To book an appointment, visit blood.ca or call 1 888 2 DONATE.
Assessing Canadians Understanding of Sepsis
In collaboration with patient partners from Sepsis Canada, Dr. Jeanna Parsons Leigh, Dr. Kirsten Fiest, and their team have developed a survey to better understand to public’s knowledge about sepsis (what is sepsis, how does someone get it, signs and symptoms, its course, and its treatment). The team will examine if people have a different understanding of sepsis and different information needs based on their gender, age, education, income, or ethnic and/or cultural background. This bi-annual survey will inform future Sepsis Public Awareness campaigns. The survey was launched in partnership with Leger during the month of September 2021. Click to learn more about their project Creating a Culture of Sepsis Awareness Through Advocacy, Health Literacy and Knowledge Translation.
Lighting up Canada for World Sepsis Day
Finally, in partnership with Action on Sepsis, Sepsis Canada will light up 30 buildings, monuments, and other infrastructure pink across Canada for World Sepsis Day 2023.
