Gill, my dear wife for 46 wonderful years and my very best friend and constant companion for 51 years, passed away several weeks ago from Sepsis. I will miss her more than words can say.

Disabled by arthritis and essentially bed-ridden for the last 15 years, Gill also had lung damage and severe breathing difficulties and suffered from very painful fibromyalgia. She most certainly drew the short straw when it came health issues.

Yet, despite her suffering and severe physical disabilities and limitations, and despite being in constant discomfort and pain, Gill never complained and was never demanding in any way. She made the best of every situation and was always generous, good humoured, loving, caring, supportive and full of kindness - and appreciative of all and any help she was given.

Sepsis – A truly horrendous condition

Sepsis is a truly horrendous condition and one that she had previously survived, but only just, five years ago after three and a half very distressing and worrying months of hospitalisation in intensive and critical care.

Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection whereby the infection-fighting process turns on the body and triggers a chain reaction that damages the organs and can ultimately cause them to fail.

Sadly, despite careful shielding over the years because of her defective immune system, Gill contracted a virus in mid-January which caused pneumonia and very quickly escalated to Sepsis which rapidly began to shut down her organs. Fortunately, this period of extreme suffering and distress she went through was relatively brief.

Putting Sepsis in perspective

To put Sepsis in perspective, although relatively little known, it accounts for approaching 50,000 deaths annually in the UK – more than from Breast, Bowel and Prostrate Cancer combined.

Funding is urgently needed to increase public awareness of Sepsis and the level of knowledge within the Health Professionals community. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce deaths from Sepsis and also help reduce the risk of permanent and life-changing consequences for survivors.

Gill’s Legacy – The Gill Strachan ‘Just Giving’ Page

I have set up the Just Giving page below in Gill’s name to help to raise awareness of Sepsis and to help the little known UK Sepsis Trust. It is the leading Sepsis Charity and monies raised will be used to fund research to find new treatments to help avoid preventable deaths from Sepsis and to support survivors and their families.

Please give generously to help others avoid what Gill suffered. This is what she would have wanted and it will be a fitting tribute to her.

Just a £10 donation to The UK Sepsis Trust will help save lives and reduce unnecessary suffering from Sepsis.

Thank you – on behalf of myself and Gill

Phil