Step On Sepsis Successfully Returns to Cary, North Carolina After a One Year Hiatus
June 21, 2018
Step On Sepsis 5k Walk/Run brought together sepsis awareness advocates in Research Triangle and beyond.
Cary, NC – On June 2, Step On Sepsis brought together over 150 participants and spectators, raising nearly $17,000 to benefit Sepsis Alliance, the nation’s leading sepsis patient advocacy non-profit organization. This 5K event was started five years ago by a group of friends in the Coventry neighborhood, in loving memory of their neighbor Jerry Minore. Jerry lost his life to sepsis suddenly in 2012. The 5K run/walk aims to raise awareness in the community for this often treatable and preventable condition.
Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to an infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death. Though sepsis is the leading cause of death in hospitals, only 58% of American adults even recognize the word sepsis, and fewer can identify the signs and symptoms that would alert them to go to the hospital immediately and seek care.
“It was important to Sepsis Alliance to bring this event back to North Carolina given the presence of so many of our valuable partners and other medical research institutes doing great work,” said Thomas Heymann, Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. “This community continues to show their commitment to raising sepsis awareness and, for that, we are grateful and hopeful about the potential impact on raising awareness in the United States as a whole.”
Brian Armstrong, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Operations – Americas of bioMérieux, Inc., served as Honorary Chair of the event and shared powerful words with the attendees following an introduction from Sepsis Alliance founder, Dr. Carl Flatley.
“bioMérieux is proud to continue our partnership with Sepsis Alliance as the 2018 National Presenting Sponsor for the Sepsis Challenge™ public awareness campaign and educational events,” said Armstrong. “Partnering with SA and our local NC community to support outreach events like the Step On Sepsis 5K in Cary are one of bioMérieux’s key pillars. As pioneers in the medical diagnostics field, we’re passionate about raising sepsis awareness and it was great to see such a fantastic turnout for this important event.”
The Town of Cary designated June 2, 2018, as Step on Sepsis Day, recognizing the importance of spreading sepsis awareness in their community. Council member Ken George was present at Step on Sepsis to read the official proclamation, which encourages, “All citizens to work together to educate themselves and develop a greater understanding of sepsis and its effects on individuals and families.”
Sepsis Alliance would like to thank bioMérieux, Inc. (National Presenting Sponsor), UNC REX Healthcare (Diamond Sponsor), BASF and Atox Bio (Platinum Sponsors), and 410 Medical and Greater Raleigh Area Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (Gold Sponsors). A special thank you also to Inside-Out Sports for providing prizes for race winners in all categories and hosting packet pick-up.
About Sepsis Alliance
Sepsis Alliance is North America’s leading sepsis patient advocacy non-profit. Sepsis Alliance’s mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. The sepsis.org website receives more than 2.5 million visits each year. Sepsis Alliance is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a GuideStar Gold Rated Charity. For more information, please visit www.sepsis.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter at @SepsisAlliance.
