Sepsis Alliance Receives Del E. Webb Foundation Grant to Fund Vital Education Video for First Responders

February 5, 2018

Sepsis: First Responders, will provide nation’s 2.7 million first responders with vital tools to quickly identify sepsis, the body’s often deadly response to infection and a leading cause of death and disability.

San Diego, CA – Sepsis Alliance, the nation’s leading sepsis advocacy and education organization, has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Del E. Webb Foundation to produce Sepsis: First Responders, a training video designed for 2.7 million first responders in the United States.

The Del E. Webb Foundation was created by Delbert Webb, a legendary American construction magnate, real estate developer, and sports-team owner who founded and developed the retirement community of Sun City, Arizona. The Del E. Webb Foundation invests in productivity that results in long-term benefits, focusing primarily on supporting child and health initiatives.

“The Del E. Webb Foundation is honored to play a part in helping with the education of first responders as it relates to quickly identifying sepsis,” said Dr. John B. Lees, the President of the Del E. Webb Foundation.

Sepsis, the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, takes more lives in the U.S. every year than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and AIDS combined. There are over 1.7 million cases of sepsis in the U.S. every year, and more than 15% (over 270,000) of sepsis patients die. In 2016, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that between 40-51% of sepsis cases arrive at the hospital via ambulance. For this high percentage of sepsis patients, the first point of contact is a first responder.

“With nearly half of sepsis patients beginning treatment in an ambulance, and sepsis mortality increasing by 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed, there is a definite benefit for additional first responder training,” said Thomas Heymann, President and Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. “If sepsis recognition and intervention can start before the patient even arrives at the hospital, lives will be saved.”

Through emphasizing the importance of clear communication during specific touch points in the care of the patient, Sepsis: First Responders aims to promote the early identification and treatment of sepsis. This video will provide training geared towards the fast-paced, high stress environment that first responders regularly work in, while sharing critical information about sepsis response best practices with all medical professionals.

“If we can help provide first responders with the tools they need to diagnose sepsis earlier in the patient’s care, this project has the potential to save thousands of lives,” added Heymann. “We are incredibly grateful for the Del E. Webb Foundation’s belief in this project and our mission.”

Sepsis: First Responders is scheduled for release in the spring of 2018. For more information on Sepsis Alliance, please visit:

https://sepsis.org

 

About Sepsis Alliance

Sepsis Alliance is the leading nonprofit patient advocacy organization in North America. Sepsis Alliance’s mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. The organization hosts national and community events, distributes educational information, and promoted training and education on sepsis prevention and early recognition and treatment. Sepsis Alliance also supports sepsis survivors and family members with information about sepsis and Post Sepsis Syndrome, as well as a Faces of Sepsis community forum. The sepsis.org website receives more than 1.5 million visits each year. Sepsis Alliance, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is a GuideStar Gold Rated Charity. For more information, please visit www.sepsis.org.

 

About Del E. Webb Foundation

Following Del E. Webb’s legacy, the Del E. Webb Foundation’s giving is defined by new ideas and innovative adaptations. The Foundation invests in results by committing to programs operating within Arizona, California, and Nevada that create or enhance opportunities for permanent improvements. The Foundation focuses primarily on child and health initiatives. For more information, please visit www.dewf.net.