Graham Segar's Sepsis Story – Surviving Sepsis and Finding Strength

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.


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.

Marvin Zick
GSA Joins the Jeddah Ministerial Conference

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. 


Katja Couball
Upcoming Events on Antimicrobial Resistance, Critical Care, and Sepsis

Our friends at Sepsis Canada are proud to partner with two significant events, starting with a pre-conference this weekend, with the official conferences commencing next week in Toronto, Canada. These events will center on sepsis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and critical care. These gatherings bring together leading experts to discuss the latest Canadian and global advancements, offering a unique opportunity for professional engagement, connection, and exploration of the best healthcare strategies.


Critical Care Canada Forum (CCCF)

Plus: International Sepsis Forum (ISF) Pre-Conference

November 17-20, 2024 | Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto, ON

Kicking off with the International Sepsis Forum (ISF) this Sunday, November 17, Sepsis Canada is hosting this pre-conference event to address the urgent healthcare challenge of sepsis. With a theme centred on advancing our understanding of sepsis diagnosis and management, ISF will explore the potential of new technologies and precision medicine, addressing the limitations of current approaches.

Starting Monday, November 18, CCCF will welcome critical care professionals to the Sheraton Centre, Toronto, for interactive sessions on the latest science and best practices in critical care. This year’s agenda includes plenaries, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and specialized streams like Deceased Donation and AMR.


3rd Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Symposium

November 19–20, 2024 | Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto, ON (and online)

Hosted by bioMérieux Canada, the AMR Symposium celebrates World AMR Awareness Week by convening clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. The event’s two-day program includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking receptions, emphasizing the tools needed to combat sepsis amid rising AMR threats.

Katja Couball
GSA at the AMR Symposium Hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican

Yesterday, Global Sepsis Alliance and Sepsis Stiftung participated in the Symposium hosted by the Global Coalition on Aging and Acton Institute at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

The meeting was dedicated to discussions on “Solving for Antimicrobial Resistance: A Rising Global Health and Humanitarian Crisis.”

Speakers and panelists of the Symposium included Renzo Pegoraro, the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life;  Takuko Sawada, Director and Vice Chairperson of the Board, Shionogi; Damiano de Felice, Chief of External Affairs, CARB-X; Konrad Reinhart, Founding President of the Global Sepsis Alliance and President of the Sepsis Stiftung; John Alter  -  CEO, AMR Action Fund; Robin Hiley, Composer & Producer, LIFELINE; Francesca Manno – Director of the Department of Treasury, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy; Joel Denis – Director General of the Public Health Agency of Canada; Laurent Muschel – Acting Director General of HERA, European Commission; Atsutoshi Hagino – Delegate of the Japan Ambassador to Holy See; Michael Hodin – CEO of the Global Coalition on Aging and Michael Severance – Director of Acton Institute.

World-renowned American actor and producer Bill Pullman, who has been actively engaged in AMR Advocacy, delivered a special statement and, in parallel to the Vatican Symposium, worked on a documentary on antimicrobial resistance and its threats to humanity. The Global Sepsis Alliance applauds Mr. Pullman's commitment, reiterating the importance of engaging public figures in awareness-raising on AMR and its critical links to sepsis.

Prof. Konrad Reinhart was requested to deliver a presentation on “Sepsis and the Impact of AMR”. He highlighted that the estimated 4.95 million AMR-associated or attributable deaths are only part of the 13.66 million sepsis-related deaths (see slide below) and called for urgent political support and advocacy for synergizing the AMR and sepsis actions. He noted that after the historic 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution on Sepsis, thanks to the successful leadership of Prof. Karl Lauterbach, Federal Minister of Health of Germany, the call for the synergies of sepsis and AMR policies was integrated into the G7 Health Ministers’ Communique under the German Presidency in 2022. However, Prof. Reinhart expressed disappointment that sepsis disappeared in the latest G7 outcomes documents vis-à-vis AMR under the leadership of other G7 countries and asked the relevant government representatives attending the Symposium for action. Prof. Reinhart noted that young children, pregnant women, and older adults over 65 years of age are at special risk of sepsis and septic shock, and efforts on AMR in these high-risk groups also call for stronger harmonization. Finally, he presented highlights of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis that GSA launched at the German Parliament on September 10, as the first multi-year global strategy in the field.

Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance, participated in the panel discussions and focused on the following key messages:

  • Importance of hosting the Symposium at the Pontifical Academy on Science as engagement and leadership of religious leaders is essential in raising awareness on global health threats, such as AMR and sepsis

  • AMR-related deaths are part of the sepsis-related deaths, and every political dialogue and declaration on AMR should be linked to sepsis as the human face of the AMR burden

  • The 120 ongoing armed conflicts and the consequent humanitarian crisis involving 362 million children, women, and men increase the risk of infectious diseases and sepsis

  • She presented the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis which describes how the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals aspirations will be missed without adequate response to sepsis and AMR.

Simone Mancini, Partnership Lead of the Global Sepsis Alliance, participated in the Q&A Session and, building on the recent civil society meeting in Brussels, addressed the acting Director of HERA with a request to prioritize sepsis in 2025 or 2026 Workplans. He highlighted the statistics that over 3 million people are affected in the EU every year by sepsis, and the cause is linked not only to the AMR but also to Pandemic Preparedness and Response and cross-border threats.

During the discussions, two Hong Kong and Italy delegates shared their sepsis-related stories. They reconfirmed how critical it is to link AMR efforts with sepsis prevention and clinical management.

The Global Sepsis Alliance and Sepsis Stiftung—together with our strategic partners—will continue consistent advocacy for integrated sepsis in the high-level AMR dialogue at the upcoming 4th Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and other major global health forums.

The estimated 4.95 million deaths associated with or attributable to AMR are only part of the 13.66 million Sepsis-death toll every year and this correlation should be reflected in AMR political declarations, policy, and advocacy documents.

Marvin Zick
Sepsis Dialogue at the UNITE Parliamentarians Global Summit

UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health convened its 4th edition of the UNITE Global Summit on October 16, 2024, in Berlin on the margins of the World Health Summit. The Summit was attended by current and former legislators from across the globe and key global health players and leaders from WHO, the Global Fund, GAVI, the World Health Summit, and other stakeholders. 

Within the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and the Global Sepsis Alliance, a special Parliamentary Inquiry Session was dedicated to the discussions on Sepsis and AMR.

The Global Sepsis Alliance delegation to the UNITE Global Summit included Prof. Konrad Reinhart – Founding President, Dr. Mariam Jashi – CEO, Marvin Zick – General Manager, Simone Mancini – Coordinator of Regional Sepsis Alliances and Katja Couball – Communication Manager. 

The Sepsis and AMR Session at the UNITE Summit was moderated by Hon. Amar Patnaik, UNITE Global Board Member and Chapter Chair for India. Speakers included Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance and former Member of Parliament of Georgia, and Deepali Patel, Director of the AMR Action Fund. 

The following legislators participated in the panel discussions: 

  • Hon. Sobita Gautam - the youngest elected Parliamentarian of Nepal and the 2023 One Young World Politician of the Year Award winner

  • Hon. Sonia Sidhu - Member of Parliament of Canada and Chair of the All-Party Diabetes Caucus.

  • Hon. Valentina Buliga - former Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family and Member of Parliament of Moldova

  • Hon. Claudio Marte González - politician and diplomat from the Dominican Republic 

  • Hon. Allal Amraoui - member of the European Network of Parliamentarians for a Healthy Environment and a renowned surgeon and accomplished politician of Morocco.

  • Hon. Benson Phiri - Member of Parliament of Malawi and President of the Eastern and Southern African Parliamentary Caucus on SRHR Population and Sustainable Development.

Dr. Mariam Jashi presented the recently launched 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the session and highlighted the critical links of Sepsis and AMR.

She addressed the Parliamentarians and the audience with three main questions: 

  1. How can we continue to live in a world where up to 50 million children and adults are affected by Sepsis each year, yet fail to prioritize it in every political dialogue and global health forum? Dr. Jashi presented the human, societal, and economic arguments, why Sepsis should be mainstreamed in the high-level political dialogue and global health architecture.

  2.  While we applaud the historic progress made in AMR advocacy as a global health threat, how can we continue to discuss AMR in isolation without acknowledging Sepsis, when 4.95 million AMR-related deaths are part of 13.66 million Sepsis-related deaths?

  3.   How can we continue to overlook Sepsis in the Global Health and Development Architecture when it is linked to 9 Sustainable Development Goals? Dr. Jashi reiterated that Sepsis affects 50 million people every year, including 20 million children and 5.7 million pregnant women, and is fueled by poverty, malnutrition, pandemics, gender inequality, humanitarian crises, climate change, and other disparities and emergencies.

The Session discussions covered the plan of the Global Sepsis Alliance to establish a High-Level Political Panel for Sepsis and the ways how politicians, members of legislative and executive branches of government, can facilitate strengthening of the Sepsis response at national, regional, and global levels.

We hereby express sincere gratitude to the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and its Founding President Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite for our ongoing and successful collaboration, and critical support in launching the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis at the German Bundestag in September 2024.  


Katja Couball
The Global Sepsis Alliance Mourns the Sudden Loss of Dr. Emmanuel Nsutebu

It is with the deepest sadness and sorrow that we inform you of the sudden passing of Dr. Emmanuel Nsutebu, our distinguished colleague and friend.

Emmanuel was a Board Member of the Global Sepsis Alliance,  Founder and Chair of the African Sepsis Alliance, and Chair of Tropical and Infectious Diseases at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and, most crucially, a father, husband, and friend.

Emmanuel founded the African Sepsis Alliance in 2016 and has played an instrumental role in its institutional growth ever since.

He was a widely acknowledged health practitioner and global health expert. In recognition of his outstanding knowledge and experience,  Emmanuel Nsutebu has served as an advisor and consultant on infectious diseases and sepsis on Boards and task forces of the World Health Organization, Royal Liverpool Hospital, NHS England, NHS Improvement, and other leading organizations in the field.

Emmanuel Nsutebu has been an unwavering advocate and voice for the most vulnerable children and adults suffering from infectious diseases and sepsis, especially in low-resource settings.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Emmanuel in mourning our tragic loss.

The Global Sepsis Alliance, the African Sepsis Alliance, and each member of our community will make sure that the legacy and the name of Dr. Emmanuel Nsutebu is remembered in our common fight.

Marvin Zick
Free CSA Webinar: Sepsis and AMR in Veterinary Medicine – Nov 7, 2024

Sepsis is intricately related to antimicrobial resistance, and the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Veterinary medicine can have public health concerns. Transmission of multi-drug resistant strains between humans and animals also poses a risk to all. The aim of this webinar is to equip veterinarians/students and healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to identify factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance among humans and animals, enabling prompt and effective intervention to improve detection, treatment, and reduce transmission between species.

This free webinar takes place on Thursday, November 7th, 2024, from 5:00 pm EST / 6:00 pm AST.

Marvin Zick
GSA and ESA Attend HERA Civil Society Forum and Strengthen Sepsis Network in Brussels

On 8 October, at the occasion of the HERA Civil Society Forum meeting, Global Sepsis Alliance CEO, Dr Mariam Jashi, and Regional Alliances Coordinator, Simone Mancini, organised an outreach programme in Brussels, including encounters with key potential partner organisations, and Brussels based members.

Simone Mancini and Mariam Jashi at the HERA Civil Society Forum meeting.

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) is a directorate-general of the European Commission created to prepare the EU for future pandemics. Its Civil Society Forum, of which the European Sepsis Alliance is a member, is a consultative body composed of organisations active in a broad range of public health policy areas and contributing to the definition of HERA’s strategy and initiatives. At the meeting, Dr Jashi stressed on the need to include sepsis awareness, early detection and treatment in the list of HERA priorities for 2025, considering its close relevance to other priorities, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A copy of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis was also well received by HERA representatives at the meeting.

Dr Jashi and Mr Mancini also met with Nicholas Brooke and Amanda Bok, respectively Executive Director and Chief Partnership Officer of The Synergist, a non-profit organization that facilitates multi-stakeholder collaborative programs to address complex societal challenges. They discussed possible ways to maximise the impact of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis and the outreach towards potential supporters and partners. Building on the valuable advices received, the exchange will continue in the coming months.

The GSA team with Frazer Goodwin and Milka Sokolović, EPHA.

The trip was also the opportunity to meet with the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), one of the major public health organisations bringing together healthcare professional, patient groups, and civil society organisations across Europe. Dr Jashi presented the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis to EPHA Director General, Dr Milka Sokolović, and Senior Communications & Advocacy Manager, Frazer Goodwin. The two organisations share similar structure, challenges and ambitions and will continue the dialogue to identify possible areas of collaborations.

Mariam Jashi, GSA CEO, Marianne Haverkamp and Aurica Pria, ESA Patient and Family Support WG Co-Chairs, Simone Mancini, GSA Coordinator Regional Sepsis Alliances.

The day concluded with informal meetings with the Vice President of the GSA, Dennis Kredler, and later with the chairs of the European Sepsis Alliance Patient & Family Support Working Group, celebrating the recent nomination of sepsis survivor Marianne Haverkamp as co-chair. Dr Jashi shared the plan included in the 2030 Agenda to set up a Global Sepsis Patient Group, building on the experience of the ESA WG and of the call to action of the Paris Declaration, recently published on The Lancet.

Simone Mancini