I have set myself the goal of losing 30KG in six months. That’s a lot of weight to lose and I need all the motivation I can get, so I decided to raise money for The UK Sepsis Trust (UKST) at the same time. I will post regular updates of my progress (or lack of it!). Please sponsor my weight loss with whatever you are able to. A little or a lot, it doesn’t matter. It will all help UKST to achieve their goals and will have the added benefit of keeping me focused to achieve mine!

Why UKST?

In February 2021 my husband, Dr Antony Hutson, passed away from Sepsis aged 54. He was ill for less than a week. The illness started with mild flu like symptoms, and by the time we realized Tony was seriously ill, it was too late. The Sepsis was thought to have been caused by a bacterial skin infection. He was admitted to intensive care and they did everything they could, but in just 4 days the Sepsis caused multiple organ failure that resulted in his death.

Tony was a chemist with a passion for anything scientific. To his students he was a teacher and mentor and his enthusiasm for science was infectious. To his family he was a loving husband, father, son and brother with an amazing sense of humour. I would like a little bit of his legacy to be a contribution to scientific research.

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis leads to shock, multiple organ failure and death. It is the body’s overwhelming response to infection. In many cases it is treatable, but is often fatal especially when not recognized and treated early enough.

What do UKST do?

Every 3 seconds, someone in the world dies of sepsis. In the UK alone, 245,000 people are affected by sepsis with at least 48,000 people losing their lives to sepsis-related illness’ every year. This is more than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined. Globally, sepsis claims 11 million lives a year. Yet, for many patients, with early diagnosis it is easily treatable.

The UK Sepsis Trust (UKST) exists to fight this life-threatening condition, their vision is to end preventable deaths. They do this by instigating political change, educating healthcare professionals, raising public awareness and providing support for those affected or bereaved by this devastating condition.

UKST has a mission to work with others on large scale research projects to further understand Sepsis and the use of microbionials and to ensure robust systems change and clinical practice.