Sepsis Survivor Week

Share your story, help others survive.

As many as 60% of sepsis survivors are left not only with physical challenges but mental and emotional challenges too.

During Sepsis Survivor Week we partner with sepsis survivors to honor their experience by sharing their individual stories of survival and bringing awareness to the unseen mental, emotional, and physical challenges many survivors face every day.

Sepsis Survivor Week is an annual observance that takes place the 2nd week of February. In 2026, it will be observed from February 8th to February 14th.

We prepared these shareable resources to help you honor sepsis survivors and spread awareness of the challenges they face. Will you join us?

Download the toolkit, by clicking here, for three easy ways to start spreading awareness this Sepsis Survivor Week.

Are you a healthcare professional looking for courses around sepsis survivorship? Find courses and discussions in Sepsis Alliance Institute. Click here.

Ready to take action to support sepsis survivorship? The Sepsis Harm and Cost Reduction Act, or Lulu’s Law, is a bipartisan bill with the potential to change the sepsis care landscape. Lulu’s Law is currently pending reintroduction in the 119th Congress.  Tell your lawmakers to prioritize Lulu’s Laws this session by clicking here.

You can also make a gift to support Sepsis Alliance resources by clicking here.

 

 


Get the facts

Make sure you have all the facts about sepsis survivors. To download our 2023 Life After Sepsis fact sheet, click here.

Life After Sepsis Information Guide

To download this easy-to-print guide about what to expect after surviving sepsis, click here.

Life After Sepsis Trifold

To download a printable version of this helpful trifold about life after sepsis, click here.

To download a version for viewing online, click here.

To learn more and find resources for sepsis survivors, click here.

 

Infographics to Share

Spread the word – #SepsisSurvivor

Click here to access downloadable infographics, like the ones below, to share with your social media community. Remember to hashtag #SepsisSurvivor and tag @SepsisAlliance.

       

       

**Please see below for usage regulations

Share Your Story, Help Others Survive

This year’s theme is: Share your story, help others survive.

How does sharing your story or sharing the experience of sepsis survivors help save lives? By raising awareness!

For every hour that treatment is delayed, the risk of mortality increases by 4-9%. Everyone needs to know the signs and symptoms of sepsis to know when they should seek emergency care. Sharing sepsis survivor experiences during Sepsis Survivor Week, and beyond, can help others learn about how infections can lead to sepsis, as well as the signs and symptoms they should watch for.

Additionally, it helps people understand that being discharged from the hospital is not necessarily the end of their sepsis experience. Many survivors experience long-term effects, and we can all better support them through their recovery.

Sepsis Alliance Connect

Sepsis Alliance Connect is a virtual support community designed for the millions of people affected by sepsis. Each year, an estimated 1.4 million people survive sepsis and over 350,000 adults die from sepsis in the United States alone. Sepsis Alliance Connect is a place for these survivors, caregivers, loved ones, and those left behind after a sepsis death to come together and share resources, insight, and encouragement about their sepsis experience and life after sepsis. Learn more and join by clicking here.

Download the Sepsis Survivor Week Poster

Thank you to everyone who provided photos for our Sepsis Survivor Week poster in 2021! Click below to download, print, and share.

 

Download the poster – 11″ x 17″ – click here

 

**Please see below for usage regulations

Life After Sepsis Videos

 

Interested in more videos featuring sepsis survivors? Check out Sepsis Alliance’s YouTube channel by clicking here.

Caregiver Information

When your loved one becomes ill with sepsis, it can be a scary time – one that most people aren’t prepared for. You may not know what sepsis is or how to help your loved one.

Download our guide, When a Loved One Has Sepsis: A Caregiver’s Guide, for more information about navigating this difficult time.

To download the guide, click here

 

 

 

 

Read Survivor Stories

Courtney H.

Survivor

Last year I had an induction to go into labour for my first pregnancy, I gave birth and then got sent to the ward. I had to stay at the ward myself as my partner went home. It was about 11pm at night where I started feeling like I had the flu. I felt so unwell and dehydrated, during this time my newborn baby was crying all night and I didn’t get any sleep until 8am. When I woke up about 10am I told the nurse I had a temperature, I remember dripping of sweat uncontrollably and shaking. (Sepsis and ... Read Full Story

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Braxton Bumgarner

Survivor, Survivor

Braxton is a 13-year-old 7th grader. 5 months ago on August 1, 2024, he said his knee hurt. The next day, it hurt worse, so his Dad took him to urgent care. The doctor basically told him he didn’t really know what pain was even though he said it was a 10. My husband asked if it could be an infection and he said no, he wasn’t showing any signs, even though he never did anything other than an x-ray. He told us to rotate Motrin and Tylenol for the pain. 2 days later we took him to our local ... Read Full Story

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Roger Pitre

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

I want to share my story to raise awareness about the dangers of cellulitis and the importance of seeking medical care early. Without quick action, I might not be here today to tell this story. (Sepsis and Cellulitis) It started with a small blister on my hand from removing ceramic tiles during a home improvement project. I also nicked my hand near the blister. I cleaned the wound, bandaged it, and thought nothing more of it. A few days later, on my 50th birthday, I felt disoriented and developed arm pain, a fever, and nausea. Thinking it might be a ... Read Full Story

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Erin C.

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Diagnosed with uterine carcinosarcoma August 2018, followed by radical hysterectomy. Was stage 1B very aggressive grade 3-4. Port surgically implanted and started chemo. Having completed 9 of 18 chemotherapy infusions, next I was on a 4 week break, before undergoing 30 rounds of radiation. (Sepsis and Cancer) My ninth infusion was the day before Thanksgiving 2018. Around the first week of December, I felt as if I had twisted my right ankle. That lasted a few days, then I was driving home from the grocery store and I turned my head to the right, to double check my lane change, ... Read Full Story

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Kelsi Godfrey

Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor, Survivor

Thursday, March 23rd 2023 I gave birth to my fourth son. Everything went well and it was a normal delivery. Friday, March 24 I started experiencing shortness of breath, but all of my vitals were fine. Then on Saturday, March 25 2023 everything went downhill FAST so luckily I was still at the hospital. My heart rate started going up and blood pressure dropping. I was then intubated. By late afternoon/early evening, my doctors found my uterus was infected and determined I had streptococcal toxic shock syndrome that caused severe septic shock. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth, Sepsis and Toxic ... Read Full Story

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Usage Regulations

**This toolkit and the materials presented and linked within it are the sole property of Sepsis Alliance. This toolkit and the materials presented and linked within it are meant to be shared and used for educational and awareness raising purposes only. The toolkit and the materials presented and linked within cannot be reproduced and sold for monetary value. When used for educational and awareness raising purposes, the materials must be used as follows:

  • The materials must be used in their original unaltered state, that includes not adding alternate logos, websites, or additional graphics, etc.
  • The Sepsis Alliance logo and any other logo on the material must be clearly visible
  • The trademark(s) (™)must be clearly visible
  • The copyright must be clearly visible
  • Do not add any logo to the materials, unless you have been given prior approval from Sepsis Alliance
  • The Sepsis: It’s About TIME™ logo cannot be reproduced and used without the approval of Sepsis Alliance

If you are interested in co-branding any of the materials presented or linked in this toolkit, please contact Alex Sadorf at asadorf@sepsis.org for pricing information.