Grant: Team Grant: Sepsis Research Network

Sepsis is the life-threatening response to infection. It affects everybody, especially children, seniors and those with other health issues. Sepsis costs the Canadian healthcare system over $1.5 billion every year, and causes more deaths than breast, bowel and lung cancer put together. Survivors may end up with weak muscles and memory problems. They may lose an arm or leg, have to go on dialysis, and still be at risk for more infections. Yet most Canadians have never heard of sepsis. In 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared sepsis to be a world emergency. It asked countries to count their numbers of septic patients, educate the public and healthcare workers on how recognize and treat sepsis, and to develop new treatments. To meet the WHO's strategic plan, Sepsis Canada scientists, patients and families promise to do exactly that. By 2025, our goal is to ensure that every septic patient in Canada is identified and treated. Our slogan is: Suspect sepsis, save lives, support recovery! We will learn which Canadians are at greatest risk of sepsis and the impact on their families. We will create a bank of evidence-based tools to teach the public and health workers and we will study new sepsis treatments. As a result, more Canadians will be alive and well after sepsis, thanks to better and timely access to care. The healthcare system will save money (about $380 million dollars every year within the next 5 years). We will share our knowledge around the world so that every citizen of the planet will benefit.