Proclamations are official documents, issued by governors, that bring attention to issues of statewide importance. You can get involved this Sepsis Awareness Month by asking your governor for a proclamation recognizing September as Sepsis Awareness Month.
Continue reading to learn how to request a Sepsis Awareness Month proclamation in your state!
Has issued a 2024 proclamation
Has not issued a 2024 proclamation
Has issued a 2024 government document (non-proclamation)
In most states, you will need to fill out a web form on your Governor’s website to request a Sepsis Awareness Month proclamation. Below, find step-by-step instructions for filling out this form.
On the Proclamation Deadlines and Web Forms page, you will find a link to your governor’s web form quickly and easily.
Please note: a few states do not provide web forms for proclamation requests. If this is the case where you live, please use the contact form on your governor’s website to share that you would like to submit a proclamation request. You can use the following text:
Hello,
I am a resident of [YOUR STATE], I am writing to inquire about requesting a gubernatorial proclamation. I would like to formally request that Governor [GOVERNOR’S LAST NAME] issue a proclamation recognizing September 2024 as Sepsis Awareness Month, to raise awareness of sepsis throughout our state. Although sepsis is the number one cause of death and cost of care in U.S. hospitals, only 15% of U.S. adults can name the signs and symptoms. Sepsis Awareness Month is an annual opportunity to educate and prevent future loss of life.
Please advise on next steps for submitting a formal proclamation request. Thank you for your time and your assistance.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Find your state’s proclamation deadline on the Proclamation Deadlines and Web Forms page. Be sure to submit your request within the timeframe specified!
The web form will prompt you to fill out your personal contact information. Make sure to use an in-state address – your governor’s office will want to make sure you live in the state where you’re submitting a request.
Often, a governor’s office will require an organization to be associated with your request. Sometimes this is called a “requesting organization” or a “sponsoring organization.” If that is the case where you live, fill out any of Sepsis Alliance’s information that you are prompted to include.
If you are prompted to describe your own title or affiliation with the organization, please write “Advocate.”
Next, fill out the details of the proclamation. Below are some fields you may be prompted to include.
A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2024 AS SEPSIS AWARENESS MONTH
Whereas, September has been nationally recognized as Sepsis Awareness Month by Sepsis Alliance to bring awareness to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death; and
Whereas, sepsis affects 1.7 million Americans and takes 350,000 adult lives every year in the United States; and
Whereas, each year, more than 75,000 children in the United States develop severe sepsis and 6,800 of these children die; and
Whereas, sepsis is the number one cost of hospitalization in the U.S., with costs for acute sepsis hospitalization and skilled nursing estimated to be $62 billion annually; and
Whereas, on average, sepsis survivors have a shortened life expectancy, are more likely to suffer from an impaired quality of life, and often experience after-effects such as amputations (14,000 per year in the United States) and post-sepsis syndrome; and
Whereas, communities that have historically lacked access to high-quality healthcare experience a disproportionate burden of sepsis-related suffering; and
Whereas, sepsis is the second-leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States; and
Whereas, the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance is steadily increasing the frequency of sepsis cases; and
Whereas, despite the severe danger and widespread occurrence of this illness, a survey conducted by Sepsis Alliance found that less than 15% of U.S. adults can identify the symptoms of sepsis; and
Whereas, the signs of sepsis can be remembered with the mnemonic “TIME,” which stands for “Temperature,” “Infection,” “Mental decline,” and “Extremely ill”; and
Whereas, awareness of the signs and symptoms of sepsis along with rapid diagnosis and treatment of sepsis can save lives and improve outcomes for sepsis survivors; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that we hereby recognize September as Sepsis Awareness Month.
Whereas, September has been nationally recognized as Sepsis Awareness Month to bring awareness to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death; and
Whereas, sepsis affects 1.7 million Americans and takes the lives of 350,000 adults and 6,800 children every year in the U.S.; and
Whereas, sepsis is the #1 cost of hospitalization in the U.S., at $62 billion annually; and
Whereas, sepsis survivors are more likely to suffer from an impaired quality of life; and
Whereas, despite the dangers of sepsis, only 15% of U.S. adults can identify the symptoms. These can be remembered with the mnemonic “TIME”: “Temperature,” “Infection,” “Mental decline,” and “Extremely ill”; and
Whereas, awareness of the signs of sepsis along with rapid diagnosis and treatment can save lives and improve outcomes for survivors; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that we hereby recognize September as Sepsis Awareness Month.
Click submit, and you’re done!
With any questions about this process, please email us at info@sepsis.org.
Click below to find your state’s proclamation deadline and web form.
Have questions about Sepsis Awareness Month and proclamations? Get started here.
In 2011, Sepsis Alliance designated September as Sepsis Awareness Month. Every September since, we’ve invited individuals, healthcare professionals in every area of medicine, and organizations big and small to help save lives by raising awareness of the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals: sepsis.
Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening response to infection. It affects 1.7 million people and takes 350,000 adult lives in the U.S. every year – more than from prostate cancer, breast cancer, and opioid overdose combined. By raising awareness of this deadly condition, we can increase understanding of its signs and symptoms and the need for urgent action, helping to save lives.
Learn more about Sepsis Awareness Month at SepsisAwarenessMonth.org
At the state level, governors have the power to issue proclamations for observances, commemorations, and other occasions. These proclamations bring attention to issues of statewide importance. As part of our larger Sepsis Awareness Month efforts, we encourage advocates to ask their governors to issue proclamations naming September as Sepsis Awareness Month at the state level.
It is thanks to the hard work of sepsis advocates all across the country that as many as 40 states have now recognized the observance over the years!
Most states require at least a few weeks to process proclamations requests. Since Sepsis Awareness Month is a month-long observance beginning September 1, we recommend getting requests in well before September.
You can check your state’s deadline here.
Yes – proclamations only cover the year in which they are issued. They need to be renewed every year.
Every state sets different deadlines for its proclamations. You can check your state’s proclamation deadline here. Be sure to check your state’s deadline and submit your request within the timeframe specified!
Your involvement doesn’t have to end once your proclamation is secured! After securing a proclamation from your governor, a great next step is outreaching to media outlets in your area. Click here to share your story with local media!
There are many other activities for raising sepsis awareness this September, including the Sepsis Superhero Challenge, social media campaigns, and more! Please visit SepsisAwarenessMonth.org for information on all the ways to get involved.
