Sepsis Alliance Founder Carl Flatley Nominated for The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Presented by Nationwide

Sepsis Alliance will receive $100,000 donation if Carl Flatley earns the most votes during 60-day online campaign.

San Diego, California – October 8, 2015 – Carl Flatley, the founder of Sepsis Alliance, has been chosen as one of four finalists for The  NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide. Now in its fifth year, the award honors the commitment that Betty Jane France, Founder and Chairwoman Emeritus of The NASCAR Foundation, demonstrated with her own efforts to give back to the community.

Finalists for the award are NASCAR fans, chosen because of their work and dedication, and lasting impact on children in their local communities through volunteering. Carl Flatley, a retired endodontist from Florida, was selected because of his tireless advocacy in raising the alarm about a deadly disease known as sepsis in both communities and in hospitals across the country.

In 2002, Carl’s healthy 23-year-old daughter Erin went to the hospital for a routine outpatient surgical procedure. Three days later, Erin was dead. The cause was sepsis, a disease that Carl had never heard of. He took his pain and deeply personal loss, and turned it around to start an organization dedicated to raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency.

Sepsis Alliance has grown from a small start-up to a thriving organization with a national presence. Carl’s personal motto of “So More Survive” has helped more and more Americans spot the symptoms of sepsis earlier, literally saving thousands of lives. Sepsis Alliance also helps sepsis patients, survivors, and family members connect with one another, and share messages of hope and survival.

“This award is so meaningful for the people who have helped us move the needle in raising sepsis awareness,” Carl said. “I want to win this award not only in Erin’s memory, but for all the Erins out there that I know we can save, if someone just remembers to think sepsis.”

The winner of The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide  will be selected through an online voting process. If Carl wins, Sepsis Alliance will receive a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Foundation to help educate more doctors and their patients about sepsis.

Carl’s fans may vote for him once a day – every day – at NASCAR.com/Award through December 3, 2015. Fans can also help Carl to Victory Lane by joining Carl’s Pit Crew at www.carlspitcrew.com to receive special giveaways, reminders on voting, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Carl’s life as a sepsis activist.

Go, Carl, Go!

About Sepsis Alliance

Sepsis Alliance is the leading nonprofit patient advocacy organization in North America promoting awareness of sepsis. Sepsis Alliance’s mission is to save lives by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. The organization hosts national and community events, distributes educational information, and promotes training and education of sepsis and its devastating effects. Sepsis Alliance also provides support by giving patients and family members information about sepsis and post sepsis syndrome, as well as a community forum to share their experiences. Sepsis Alliance, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is a GuideStar Gold Rated Charity. For more information, please visit www.sepsis.org.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The NASCAR Foundation is dedicated to helping children learn how to win through initiatives focused on education, health, and volunteerism. The NASCAR Foundation has contributed more than $22 million in charitable support to initiatives that further this mission. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: NASCARFoundation.org. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter:@NASCAR_FDN.