Foundation
Medicine
Grand Finale

Winning the uneven fight against sepsis

2023-11-07 15:19:11

 The fight against sepsis was the main aim of the 31st Grand Finale fundraiser which ended with over PLN 243 million raised. In less than a year, we have organized two Open Tenders to purchase medical equipment for microbiological laboratories across the country.

 

So far, we have purchased 504 medical devices for PLN 210,632,608.40 which will be delivered to 208 labs in 151 towns across the country. Some of the devices are already set up and working! 

 

Jurek Owsiak announcing the result of the 31st Grand Finale, photo: Łukasz Widziszowski

 

Why was the fight against sepsis on our target?

 

Sepsis is our immune system’s erratic response to the infection, which may rapidly worsen the patient’s condition. Therefore, it is crucial to make the right decisions quickly and administer effective therapy as soon as possible, ideally within the first hour after the diagnosis.

 

 

Sepsis – key facts

 

• Is sepsis contagious or infectious? No. You can contract a particular microorganism, and this infection could potentially result in sepsis.

• Approximately every 3 seconds, someone in the world dies from sepsis.

• Sepsis can occur at any age. The most vulnerable are the extreme age groups - the youngest and the oldest.

• Immune disorders are a risk factor for sepsis, but sepsis may also occur in previously perfectly healthy people.

• Most (up to 80%) cases of sepsis start outside the hospital.

• Sepsis can be challenging to diagnose due to the lack of typical clinical symptoms. Any delay in diagnosis can significantly increase mortality rates, highlighting the importance of timely recognition and treatment. It's crucial to remember that every hour matters in sepsis.

 

The outdoor campaign organized by the GOCC Foundation in October 2023, photo: Łuaksz Widziszowski

 

In October 2023, the Foundation organized an outdoor campaign to raise awareness in society about the fight against sepsis and the actions taken to address this issue. The billboards with the message "Poles! Let’s beat the evil! We will win with sepsis!” were displayed in 1,840 locations across the country.

 

The upcoming fundraiser

 

Leaving the 31st Grand Finale's objective behind us, we are now taking up a new challenge. Less than 2 weeks ago, we announced the aim of the upcoming 32nd GOCC's annual winter fundraiser. The 32nd Grand Finale will be organised under the theme: "Post-pandemic lungs. We play for kids and adults alike!". Our plan is to support respiratory units for patients of all ages throughout the country. We aim to purchase equipment for diagnosing, monitoring, and rehabilitating pulmonary diseases.

 

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