As we bid farewell to 2024, we reflect on a transformative year in the global fight against sepsis. From launching groundbreaking initiatives like the Global Sepsis Innovations Platform to hosting record-breaking events such as the 2024 WSC Spotlight, this year has been a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, cumulating in the launch of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the German Bundestag in September.

With the unwavering support of our 120 member organizations, as well as you, our fellow World Sepsis Day Supporters, we’ve reached new heights in raising awareness, fostering research, and driving action to save lives. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to pushing boundaries and creating a world where no one loses their life to sepsis.

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Reflecting on 2024

January / February / March

The year started with updated toolkits for 2024, as almost every year does. Shortly thereafter, we shared Ilse’s sepsis story, a story of incredible human strength, resilience, and perseverance. At the 2024 Critical Care Congress in Phoenix, Arizona, the ‘International Consensus Criteria for Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock’ were presented. In Gevena, Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the GSA, addressed the 154th Session of the WHO Executive Board to prioritize sepsis in Universal Health Coverage.

In February, we announced the 2024 WSC Spotlight: Unmet Need in Sepsis Diagnosis and Therapy, and Ron Daniels, our Vice President of Communications and Founder and CEO of the UK Sepsis Trust, commented on the updated NICE Guidelines for Sepsis. We also announced the 7th Annual Meeting of the European Sepsis Alliance and shared Kuan Brown’s sepsis story, who unnecessarily died of sepsis at only 18. We also welcomed and contributed to the release of the WHO website on clinical management of sepsis.

On March 8, celebrating International Women’s Day, the Global Sepsis Alliance and the Medical Women’s International Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding. On March 18, we came to you live from Brussels for the 7th Annual Meeting of the ESA – you can rewatch it here should you have missed it, and the report from the event is available here. Also in March, Mariam met Mandeep Dhaliwal and Roy Small of the United Nations Development Programme in New York. Last but not least, our President Tex Kissoon visited the Head Office for strategic discussions, including a video address for you.

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April

In April, all eyes turned to the 2024 WSC Spotlight, titled Unmet Need in Sepsis Diagnosis and Therapy.

Throughout 9 distinctive sessions, globally renowned clinicians, researchers, experts, and thought leaders covered the need for early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in surgical patients, data, AI, and predictive modeling in sepsis, how hypervolemia increases the mortality rate in sepsis, the role of biomarkers, detecting sepsis in ventilated patients, pediatric sepsis, including the new ‘Phoenix Criteria’, as well as personalized approaches to sepsis management.

The congress was held entirely online and participation was free of charge. The talks are still available for free on YouTube and as a podcast on Apple Podcasts – just search for ‘World Sepsis Congress’ in your favorite podcast player. Maybe you’ll make time to catch up on a talk or two during the holidays?

The congress itself was an amazing success yet again – 12,230 people from 185 countries signed up to participate, 65% from low- and middle-income countries. The full report is available here, including a ton of interesting numbers and feedback from attendees.

But that wasn’t all – earlier in April, the US Congress allocated $3 million to the CDC for Sepsis Advocacy in the US, and we celebrated Pediatric Sepsis Week, especially in Australia and the US.

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May

May was kicked off by the GSA supporting World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5 – clean healthcare is among the most urgent challenges identified by the United Nations to be addressed by the global community in the next 10 years and is highly relevant in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as fighting infections, sepsis, and, most prominently in the last couple of years, COVID-19.

Next, Mariam met with Helga Fogstad, UNICEF’s Director of Health, and spoke at the UNGA High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in New York.

We also started to release the sessions from the 2024 WSC Spotlight – as mentioned above, they are still available on YouTube and as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, if you aren’t caught up yet.

Later in May, we shared Heike’s sepsis story, who contracted sepsis in the Swiss mountains in 2021 and held a multi-stakeholder dialogue on the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis in Geneva.

We closed out May with sepsis survivors Shahrzad Kiavash and Krista Bracke meeting the Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros at the WHO Walk the Talk Event in Geneva, as well as Mariam addressing the 77th World Health Assembly to prioritize sepsis.

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June / July / August

June kicked off with the first report on sepsis in Belgium and the much-celebrated launch of the Caribbean Sepsis Alliance. We shared the story of a young girl who survived sepsis, and Mariam spoke at the first Global Self-Care Summit in Geneva.

In July, we finally published the aforementioned report on the 2024 WSC Spotlight and shared Vasanth Kumar Gelli’s sepsis story.

We also shared inspirations and ideas for the upcoming World Sepsis Day and looked back at the first event of the Caribbean Sepsis Alliance, focusing on climate change, health, sepsis, and justice.

In August, we shared the invitation to our symposium on the immune system and the ‘Revealing the Burden of Sepsis’ event in Paris in September.

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September

Finally, September. Finally, World Sepsis Day again. Across the globe, hundreds of events were organized to raise awareness for sepsis, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who took part. The 2024 WSD Event Poster includes many of these impactful events.

However, September started with the new logo and website of the Caribbean Sepsis Alliance on September 5 and the launch of the WSD Virtual Photo Booth on September 9, before we officially launched the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the German Parliament on September 10, including a free livestream on YouTube.

On September 11, our symposium – The Immune System: The Double-Edged Sword in the Fight Against Sepsis – jointly organized with the Sepsis Stiftung, took place in Berlin, addressing the relationship between the immune system and sepsis – you can still watch the event on YouTube.

Also on September 11, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, alongside Senators Susan Collins and Bob Casey, introduced the bipartisan SEPSIS (Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems and Initiatives for Sepsis) Act to the US Senate.

On World Sepsis Day, we shared the video greeting of Dr. Tedros, the written message of Dr. Lauterbach, German Minister of Health, and the media release for the 2024 World Sepsis Day.

Shortly thereafter, we published the full report on the launch of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis and announced our UNGA79 Side Event in New York. Closing out the month, Mariam spoke at the first panel of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on AMR in New York on September 26.

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October

In October, we joined the Virchow-ESMT Lecture “Health and Sustainability for Thriving Futures” with the 2024 Virchow Prize Laureates, and The Lancet published the sepsis survivor’s call to EU leaders to develop a European Sepsis Plan, as a follow up to the September 9 sepsis patients summit convened in Paris by Sepsis Stronger Together consortium in partnership with the Global Sepsis Alliance and the European Sepsis Alliance.

On October 14, we announced the new GSA Fellowship, followed by the GSA joining WHO’s Acute Care Action Network (ACAN).

On October 16, the GSA led the sepsis dialogue at the UNITE Parliamentarians Global Summit and participated in the World Health Summit in Berlin.

Later that month, we shared Brian Hayes's sepsis story, and Mariam and Simone attended the HERA Civil Society Forum in Brussels, as well as other stakeholders in the region.

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November / December

In November, we participated in the Symposium hosted by the Global Coalition on Aging and Acton Institute at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and joined the Jeddah Ministerial Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

We also shared Graham’s Sepsis Story and published the full report – including video – from our UNGA79 side event.

In December, we opened the call for expression of interest to join the new Global Sepsis Innovations Platform (GSIP) and finally completed the 2024 WSD Event Poster, which you can download here.

Last Thursday, we announced the date and title of the 5th World Sepsis Congress – April 8-9, 2025, titled Sepsis Research and Innovations, and just this Monday, we shared the news on the first-ever sepsis event at the White House.

Throughout the year, we engaged in regular meetings with our members, sponsors, partners –including the WHO – and our Board, focusing on strategies to further accelerate the global fight against sepsis. These collaborative discussions have laid the groundwork for exciting initiatives on the horizon – stay tuned for what’s to come!

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Anticipating 2025

As we enter 2025, our mission to combat sepsis grows ever stronger. This year will mark a pivotal moment in our journey, as we accelerate efforts to implement the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, driving meaningful action toward prevention, early recognition, and equitable care worldwide.

A key highlight will be the 5th World Sepsis Congress in April, where experts, advocates, and stakeholders will come together to share the latest advancements and insights in sepsis care and innovation.

We will also be in Geneva in May for the World Health Assembly, in New York in September for UNGA80, and at smaller but no less important global health meetings worldwide.

With your continued support, we are confident that 2025 will bring us closer to a future where no one needlessly suffers or dies from sepsis. Let’s move forward together—stronger, more united, and more determined than ever.

We are thrilled to share the news from our friends at End Sepsis. On December 13, 2024, the White House hosted its first-ever sepsis-focused event, marking a milestone in the fight against this global health threat. This is a victory for sepsis advocates and a significant step toward reducing the 350,000 sepsis-related deaths in the United States every year and addressing the life-changing disabilities that sepsis survivors endure.

This historic event at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy aimed at convening the public and private sector action on early detection and treatment of sepsis.

The event brought together health leaders, advocates, and sepsis experts, it was prompted by the release of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Report to Congress, which provides an in-depth assessment of the sepsis burden in the United States. This report, which END SEPSIS helped advocate for, aims to quantify the toll of sepsis on the healthcare system, economy, and population.

Orlaith Staunton, Founder and Executive Director of END SEPSIS, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of patients and families, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy and action. END SEPSIS, has been instrumental in driving a comprehensive federal response to sepsis.

“This Event is a major victory for the sepsis families who have campaigned to have the White House become more proactive on an issue that kills 350,000 Americans annually. We have intensely lobbied the current and past two administrations to do this; we are gratified that our hard work has finally borne fruit,” said Ciaran Staunton, Co-Founder of END SEPSIS and father of Rory Staunton, who died from undiagnosed, untreated sepsis at age 12.

Among the topics discussed were Rory’s Regulations in New York, the first mandatory sepsis protocol in the United States, which has saved over 16,000 lives since its implementation in 2013. These protocols are named in honor of Rory Staunton, whose untimely death was the catalyst for this groundbreaking initiative.

This event underscores our collective mission to raise awareness, improve early diagnosis, and enhance treatment for sepsis. As we continue to fight together against sepsis, we celebrate this achievement and reaffirm our commitment to reducing the global burden of sepsis.

Join us in our mission to fight sepsis, educate the public, and save lives. Together, we can ensure that sepsis is universally recognized as a medical emergency and that patients receive the timely, life-saving care they need.

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About Sepsis

Sepsis is a global health crisis affecting 47 to 50 million people every year and causing at least 11 million deaths worldwide—one death every 2.8 seconds. The mortality rate varies between 15% and more than 50% depending on the country, and many survivors face lifelong consequences. In the United States alone, sepsis kills 350,000 Americans annually, underscoring the need for urgent action. 

The Global Sepsis Alliance is thrilled to announce the 5th World Sepsis Congress, which will take place fully online on April 8-9, 2025. Under the theme Sepsis Research and Innovations, this free virtual event will bring together over 15,000 participants from more than 180 countries to address one of our time's most pressing global health challenges.

Dr. Niranjan ‘Tex’ Kissoon

“This congress is an invitation for all to come together and reaffirm our commitment to end suffering and preventable deaths from sepsis, and to appreciate the progress being made by dedicated colleagues worldwide. Please join us in April 2025.”

— Dr. Niranjan 'Tex' Kissoon, President Global Sepsis Alliance

“We are excited to host a Congress that fosters collaboration and inspires innovation. The 5th World Sepsis Congress will empower us to collectively address the enormous global burden of sepsis and develop solutions that advance healthcare for all.”

— Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO Global Sepsis Alliance

Dr. Mariam Jashi

The program will feature over 90 expert speakers, including leading clinicians, scientists, policymakers, and representatives from patient advocacy groups. Topics will range from the latest research on personalized medicine and innovative therapies to global strategies for infection prevention to sepsis care delivery, and how AI can be leveraged to diagnose sepsis earl. Special attention will be given to the impact of climate change on infectious diseases, the rising threat of AMR, and how combating sepsis aligns with the SDGs’ commitment to health equity and universal access to care.

Additionally, the congress will feature two panel discussions, making the voices of patients heard and showcasing lessons from countries that are reducing sepsis mortality through system change.

Registrations for the 5th World Sepsis Congress will open in early 2025. Attendees can participate live on their internet-connected devices and access recordings on-demand after the event. Join us as we come together to tackle sepsis, save lives, and create a healthier, more sustainable future.

The Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA) and Sepsis Stiftung are pleased to announce a call for expressions of interest to join the Global Sepsis Innovations Platform (GSIP), which will launch on January 30, 2025.

Aligned with the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis - the first multi-year global strategy for sepsis launched at the German Parliament in September 2024 -  GSIP aims to foster coordinated ongoing discussions and advocacy to address unmet needs in sepsis innovations. This includes research & development (R&D) for novel vaccines and other prevention interventions, diagnostics, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapies, precision medicine, care and rehabilitation commodities, and AI-enabled technologies.   

The Sepsis Alliance, which led the Sepsis Innovation Collaborative, will be an associated partner to the GSIP.

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A Collaborative Approach to Sepsis Innovation

The GSIP will focus on:

• Knowledge Exchange. Facilitating collaboration among innovators, researchers, healthcare professionals, sepsis survivors, and patients' families. Engaging sepsis survivors ensures that the platform remains focused on addressing unmet needs in prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics, as well as innovations for post-sepsis care and rehabilitation.

• Regulatory Collaboration. Promoting multilateral discussions, consensus-building, and recommendations regarding regulations related to R&D, authorization, and licensing of sepsis innovations. Where appropriate, GSIP will submit recommendations and position statements to national and regional regulatory authorities.

• Advocacy Coordination. Coordinating efforts with national governments, philanthropic foundations, the private sector, the manufacturing industry, public-private partnerships, and research institutions, with active engagement of sepsis survivors and families with lived experiences. Coherent advocacy aims to increase investment in sepsis research and innovations and to prioritize sepsis as a leading cause of death for children, women, and men worldwide.

• Operational Research Coordination. Supporting discussions, planning, and implementation of operational research to define the accessibility and affordability of basic sepsis-related equipment and supplies, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which bear the highest burden of sepsis.

• Defining the Sepsis R&D Agenda. Facilitating discussions to identify the sepsis R&D priorities, especially for LMICs, including unmet needs in sepsis data (both quantitative and qualitative), traditional and novel vaccines, early detection and treatment strategies, and AI solutions for sepsis diagnostics and management.

For further information, please refer to the Terms of Reference for the Global Sepsis Innovations Platform.

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A Call for Participation: Join the GSIP

Organizations from the public, private, civil society, and academic sectors interested in joining the GSIP's work are invited to contact the Berlin head office of the Global Sepsis Alliance via the form below by COB January 20, 2025.

We look forward to expanding opportunities and partnerships to advance sepsis science and R&D for novel solutions that can save millions of lives.

Download The Poster

The 2024 World Sepsis Day Event Poster is finally here! It’s packed with exciting activities and events happening all over the world to raise awareness about sepsis. You can download it below and share it online or print it out for your office or home. Let’s spread the word and make a difference!

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Report Mistakes / Add Events

The creation of the poster is a significant endeavor every year. Should you discover any errors, kindly inform us, and we will promptly rectify them and re-upload an updated version. For events that happened after the deadline, occurred online, or are otherwise absent, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is not too late to include your event.

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Donate to Support World Sepsis Day

In these tough times, we all must do our part to support causes that matter to us. We’d be so grateful if you could donate to help fight sepsis around the world. Your contribution would make a real difference and help save lives.

In parallel to the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79), the Global Sepsis Alliance hosted a side event in partnership with the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health (UNITE), and Sepsis Stiftung. The meeting was convened on September 25, 2024, at the New York University (NYU) Langone Health Centre thanks to the facilitation by Dr. Connie Newman, NYU Faculty Member and MWIA Representative to the United Nations.

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Key Addresses and Highlights

Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, President of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health (UNITE) and CEO of the Health AI Agency reiterated UNITE's commitment to supporting the Global Sepsis Alliance in its crucial mission and the recently launched 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, which was introduced at the German Bundestag.

Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, President of MWIA, emphasized the ongoing strategic partnership between MWIA and the Global Sepsis Alliance. She reaffirmed the readiness of MWIA, the world’s oldest professional association of female physicians, to support the sepsis cause and the GSA’s mission.

Prof. Konrad Reinhart, Founding President of GSA and President of Sepsis Stiftung, joined the meeting virtually from Berlin. He underscored the urgency of taking action against sepsis and the need for political transformation to elevate the issue. Prof. Reinhart welcomed the second side event on sepsis convened by GSA and its partners during the UNGA and expressed hope for a stronger global focus on sepsis in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda.

She highlighted that fundamental changes in the global sepsis response are essential for accelerating progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and eight additional SDGs focused on poverty, malnutrition, gender inequality, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), inequities, climate change, humanitarian crises, and international cooperation.

Dr. Jashi also presented a special address from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General for the official launch of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, which took place at the German Bundestag on September 10, 2024, under the leadership of Prof. Andrew Ullmann, Chair of the Global Health Sub-Committee of the German Parliament.

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Interventions and Contributions

Following Dr. Jashi's presentation, a series of distinguished speakers offered their insights, recommendations, and calls for action:

• Ciaran Staunton, Co-founder of END SEPSIS – The Legacy of Rory Staunton Foundation, highlighted their latest work, including the 8th Annual National Forum on Sepsis in Washington D.C. and the submission of the Sepsis Bill to the US Senate on September 12, 2024.

• Thomas Heymann, CEO of the Sepsis Alliance, presented the organization’s ongoing efforts to raise public awareness and build healthcare capacity across the United States. Despite progress, Mr. Heymann emphasized that sepsis remains the leading cause of death in US hospitals, the second leading cause of maternal deaths, and responsible for 14,000 amputations annually only in the United States.

• Michael Wong, CEO of the Physician-Patient Alliances for Health and Safety (PPAHS), reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to endorsing and supporting the implementation of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis.

• Amy Campbell, PPAHS representative and Quality Nurse Specialist shared the stories of sepsis patients from the perspective of a healthcare provider, illustrating the challenges in clinical management of sepsis and its sequelae, even in well-resourced healthcare settings.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The meeting concluded with a consensus among partner organizations on the urgent need to reinvigorate global, regional, and national sepsis responses to achieve the 2030 SDGs and related aspirations for Universal Health Coverage, maternal, neonatal, and child health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR), gender equality, peace, and partnerships for development.

A key priority for the Global Sepsis Alliance in 2025 will be the establishment of a High-Level Political Platform for Sepsis, which will work to ensure the consistent integration of sepsis into mainstream health and development dialogues and forums. This includes G7 and G20 summits, World Health Assemblies, UN General Assemblies, World Economic Forums, and other major platforms.

In the summer of 2024, what began as an ordinary day at work soon became the start of a life-threatening journey I never anticipated. I was in the middle of my shift when I felt a sudden, sharp pop in my right hip—a sensation so intense it stopped me in my tracks. I tried to brush it off, thinking it might just be a pulled muscle, but with each step, the pain intensified, radiating through my leg and leaving me barely able to stand. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and decided to leave work early, hoping some rest would bring relief. Little did I know that my life was about to change in ways I could never have imagined.

By the time I got to my car, the pain was unbearable. I couldn’t even move my leg from the gas pedal to the brake without using my hands to physically lift it. Driving home was a terrifying blur, every moment spent fighting the pain that seemed to grow with each passing second. When I finally made it home, the real struggle began. I reached the stairs to my house, but I couldn’t make it up on my own. I had to crawl, step by agonizing step, dragging myself forward. Halfway up, my mom saw me. The look of shock and fear in her eyes was unmistakable. She met me on the stairs, helping me inside as I collapsed in pain. I couldn’t stand, couldn’t even move without feeling like my entire body was shattering from the inside out.

Over the next several days, the pain only worsened, stealing away my ability to do even the simplest tasks. Sleeping became a nightmare; every time I tried to turn over in bed, the pain would jolt me awake, leaving me trapped in a cycle of sleeplessness and agony. I finally went to the doctor, desperate for answers, but instead of finding relief, I was met with a misdiagnosis. They told me it was just a muscle strain, dismissing the pain that was tearing through my body. They had no idea that, inside me, a deadly infection was spreading through my joints and bloodstream—a silent, invisible threat that would soon take over my entire body.

I tried to believe the doctors and tried to convince myself that it would pass. But the pain only grew worse, leaving me feeling more helpless with each passing day. Finally, after more visits and more pleading for answers, I managed to get an MRI. For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope that I might get some clarity. But even then, fate seemed determined to work against me—they lost my MRI. Days slipped away, each one allowing the infection more time to spread unchecked. I was left waiting in a limbo of pain and uncertainty, feeling my body weaken, wondering how long I could hold on.

Three weeks after the initial symptoms, the truth finally emerged: I had septic arthritis, a rare and deadly infection. By the time they caught it, the infection had spread all throughout my bloodstream. I was in septic shock, a critical and life-threatening state where the infection was no longer contained to one part of my body; it was everywhere. My entire system was under attack, and the doctors were blunt about the reality of my situation. My chances of survival were terrifyingly slim—a mere 4%. Statistically, I should not have survived, and yet, somehow, I was still holding on. But the road to recovery was far from certain. Some doctors told me I’d be okay in two weeks; others said six months; some warned it could take a year before I was myself again. The uncertainty weighed on me, each prognosis a reminder of how fragile my future had become.

Through all of this, my mom became my rock, caregiver, and anchor. She was already working two jobs to support us, and now, on top of everything, she had to become my full-time nurse. Every day, she’d come home after long hours on her feet, exhaustion etched into her face, and then spend a full hour administering my IV antibiotics. It was no easy task; each dose had to be carefully monitored, the medication flowing directly into my veins through a PICC line, ensuring the infection didn’t regain its deadly hold on me. She took on this responsibility with a dedication that only a mother could muster, giving up her rest and well-being to keep me alive. I could see the toll it was taking on her, but she never let her own exhaustion show, never let her fears take over. She held me together when I felt like I was falling apart, giving me strength in my weakest moments.

I was supposed to be starting my senior year of college, a time I’d looked forward to, filled with excitement for graduation, final memories with friends, and the pride of finishing strong. But instead, I found myself trapped, sidelined, and isolated. During the first month and a half of the semester, I was forced to Zoom into classes, watching from a distance as my friends and classmates moved forward while I stayed behind. I didn’t want to miss out on any schoolwork and didn’t want to lose time, but every day was a struggle. Getting accommodations was difficult, and every assignment was a hurdle as I tried to keep up despite the pain and exhaustion. I was determined not to take a fifth year, not to let this disease rob me of my graduation, but every day was a test of endurance, a battle to hold onto the life I had worked so hard to build.

Despite everything, I had a trip to New York City planned, and I didn’t want to miss it. But my vision of exploring the city turned into a very different reality. At every airport, I had to be wheeled through terminals in a wheelchair, watching as people rushed around me, moving freely in ways I no longer could. Once I arrived, I rented a wheelchair just to get around the city. The places I’d once dreamed of visiting on foot became mere glimpses from the seat of a chair, each street and landmark accessible only if someone could push me forward. It was humbling, it was heartbreaking, and it was a painful reminder of everything I had lost. Each night, I returned to the hotel, only to face the impossible task of sleeping with the constant, unrelenting pain. Every small movement sent sharp, stabbing shocks through my body, jolting me awake again and again. Exhaustion became my constant companion, but even sleep was something my body refused to grant.

Back at home, my healthcare routine became a grueling and exhausting cycle. A home health nurse came every week, to monitor my infection, check my vital signs, and manage my PICC line, my lifeline against the infection that had nearly taken me. Three times a week, a physical therapist came to the house, working with me on exercises that pushed my body to the brink, trying to regain the strength I’d lost. Each session was a test of will, leaving me drained, yet still fighting for any scrap of progress I could hold onto. I had to confront a reality I never thought I’d face—a fight for my future, for my health, and for the life I thought would always be mine.

Through all of this, my mom remained by my side. She was my strength, my constant in a world that had been turned upside down. But I knew how much it hurt her to see me in this state, to watch her child suffer through pain no parent should ever have to witness. She hid her own exhaustion, her own heartbreak, but I could see the toll it was taking on her. She was watching her son fight for his life, caught between hope and despair, facing a reality no one could have prepared for.

Eventually, through the relentless dedication of my doctors, the tireless care of my mom, and my own stubborn determination, I began to recover. But it was far from a quick or easy process. The scars, both physical and emotional, will stay with me forever. I survived, but the journey has left me changed in ways I’m still learning to understand. I came face to face with my own mortality, forced to confront the pain, the helplessness, and the reality of a future I almost lost.

I share my story not to dwell on the suffering, but to honor those who stood by me, who fought for me when I couldn’t fight for myself, and to remind others of the deadly reality of sepsis. It’s a silent killer, one that almost stole my life. I am here today because of the relentless love of my mom, the care of my doctors, and a 4% chance that somehow, against all odds, was enough to keep me alive. I am grateful, humbled, and forever changed, with a new understanding of just how precious life truly is.

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The article above was written by Graham Segars and is shared with his explicit consent. The views in the article do not necessarily represent those of the Global Sepsis Alliance. They are not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The whole team here at the Global Sepsis Alliance and World Sepsis Day wishes to thank Graham for sharing his story and for fighting to raise awareness for sepsis.

Dr. Mariam Jashi – CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance and Global Board Member of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, joined the 4th Ministerial Conference on AMR and the 2nd Plenary Assembly of the AMR Multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 14-16, 2024.

­­­­The Global Sepsis Alliance and UNITE continue awareness-raising efforts among political and global health leaders on the critical importance to synergize AMR and Sepsis advocacy and policy solutions. In fact, the estimated 4.95 million AMR-related deaths are part (36%) of the 13.66 million Sepsis-related annual deaths, and every high-level political dialogue should continuously reflect this important link.

Within the framework of the Jeddah Ministerial Conference and the 2nd Plenary Assembly, Dr. Jashi had a possibility to discuss the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis and its importance to the AMR challenge, with the following representatives of national governments and parliaments:

• H.E. Hosams Abu Meri - Minister of Health of Latvia

• H.E. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana - Minister of Health of Rwanda

• Prof. Dr. Edgar Franke - Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health of Germany

• Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan - Member of the UK Parliament

• Hon. Margaret Muhanga Mugisa - Minister of State for Health of Uganda.

During the visit, Dr. Jashi also had a unique opportunity to interact and discuss the importance of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis for AMR with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - WHO Director-General, Dr. Hanan Balkhy - WHO Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hans Kluge - WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani - WHO Assistant Director-General for AMR and other colleagues from the World Health Organization.

The GSA’s CEO had a bilateral meeting with Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi - Technical Unit Head for the IPC Taskforce and the Global IPC Network of WHO, to review the ongoing collaboration and future partnership priorities of WHO HIS Department and GSA.  

Mariam Jashi discussed the 2030 Sepsis agenda and future priorities for the advancement of the Sepsis and AMR agenda with Dr. David Ripin – Executive Vice President of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI); Peter Beyer – GARDP Deputy Executive Director;  Dr. Ali Tala Asiri - Director General of the Saudi Patient Safety Centre; Damiano de Felice - Chief of External Affairs, CARB-X; John Alter - AMR Action Fund, Head of External Affairs; Dr. Uzma Syed - Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence, Good Samaritan University Hospital and Katherine Urbáez - Executive Director of the Health Diplomacy Alliance. GSA CEO also used the opportunity to briefly discuss the new global Sepsis agenda with leaders and senior policymakers in global health of the Wellcome Trust, the World Bank,  IFPMA, and the BEAM Alliance.

The Global Sepsis Alliance and the Regional Sepsis Alliances for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Latin America, and the Caribbeans will further strengthen advocacy efforts with national governments, UN agencies, and multiple stakeholders from public, private, academic, and civil society sectors on the urgency of action for Sepsis and on the critical need to synergize AMR and Sepsis response. 

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