11/07/23

Winning the uneven fight against sepsis


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, the GOCC Foundation organized two Open Tenders to purchase medical equipment for microbiological laboratories across the country.

So far, the charity has 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! 



Why was the fight against sepsis on target?

Sepsis is the 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. One 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.

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, the Great Orchestra is now taking up a new challenge. Less than 2 weeks ago, Jurek Owsiak 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!". The plan is to support respiratory units for patients of all ages throughout the country and purchase equipment for diagnosing, monitoring, and rehabilitating pulmonary diseases.


Anna Libertowska