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You can change the FUTURE for sepsis patients like Ryan.
Please donate by 30 June to fund research to benefit ALL Australians. And get little hearts like Ryan's beating again.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that happens when the body over-reacts to an infection. Instead of fighting the infection normally, the immune system attacks the body’s own organs and tissues. This can lead to organ failure, shock, and even death if not treated quickly.
An estimated 55,000 Australians are affected by sepsis every year.
Globally, one person dies of sepsis every 2.8 seconds.
Almost half of all sepsis cases worldwide occur in children under 5.
- Jennifer just donated $54.12
- Justin just donated $48.71
- Johana just donated $211
- Harry just donated $54.12
- Anil just donated $158.25
- Peter just donated $48.71
- Carol just donated $64.67
- Leanne Moses just donated $54.12
- Jim just donated $250
- Alan just donated $54.12
- Bronwyn just donated $54.12
- Simon just donated $54.12
- Marcel just donated $263.75
- Josephine just donated $54.12
- Nancy just donated $50
- Bernard just donated $54.12
- Pam just donated $106.12
- Judy just donated $54.12
- robert just donated $11.65
- Sara just donated $106.12
Ryan Lines was an active, happy little boy. But just one month after his first birthday, everything changed.
What started as a runny nose quickly turned sinister. By afternoon, Ryan had a fever, was dazed and a non-blanching rash appeared.
Sensing something was wrong, his parents rushed him back to the hospital, demanding more tests.
“Before we knew it, we were on a plane to the nearest major city as our little boy was deteriorating so fast,” Jessica recalls. “It was terrifying.” Exhausted after two days without sleep, Jess received the words no parent should ever hear.
“They told me Ryan was in severe septic shock, had suffered cardiac arrest, and wasn’t going to make it. Doctors surrounded him, fighting to save his life.”
Then, against all odds, after 10 agonising minutes of CPR, Ryan’s heart started beating again.
Three months later, Ryan needed life-saving amputation surgery.
It turned out Ryan had a strep A infection that had developed into serve septic shock.
Ryan developed multiple organ failure. He had to undergo two major surgeries to amputate both legs and lost all his fingertips and some fingers.
His mum Jessica is passionate about research and raising awareness about the impact of septic shock.
“No family should have to go through what we did. We are so grateful that Ryan is still with us, but we have a long journey ahead.
“I urge everyone to learn the signs of sepsis and to support the incredible work of Dr Stanley and his team. Their research will give hope to those who may one day be impacted by this devastating condition.”
Dr Christopher Stanley and his team at the Heart Research Institute (HRI) are determined to change the future for sepsis patients.
Their research focuses on understanding the dangerous drop in blood pressure that occurs in septic shock.
“ We aim to identify new targets that can reverse the drop in blood pressure seen in septic shock. If we can understand how the microvascular system works, and how sepsis impacts it, we may have vital clues to new treatments for septic shock.”
Your support can help fund the equipment and supplies we need to carry out our research, accelerating life-changing treatments for those in need.
There is hope. You can change the future for sepsis patients like Ryan.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Heart Research Institute acknowledges traditional owners of the land where our offices are located, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
