Sepsis: A Quiet Killer That Touches Anyone
Sepsis can strike without warning, even when a person is living with a known chronic illness or a recent medical hurdle. A new documentary, Sepsis: A Story of Loss, Love and Survival, brings forward eight intimate stories to remind the public that sepsis can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It weaves together personal tragedy, resilience, and a call to action for better awareness and earlier diagnosis.
Tracey’s Story: A Family’s Silent Alarm
Tracey lived with a rare form of rheumatoid arthritis and adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). Her brother James recalls how she powered through two hip surgeries, showing the strength of a devoted mother and partner. In May 2020, escalating pain and fever became a warning sign. Initially, the family suspected complications from her illnesses, but a rising temperature led them to seek help. The ambulance was called in the early hours, and Tracey was admitted to Cork University Hospital’s ICU.
James shares the emotional toll of isolation during treatment: visitors were restricted, and the family relied on routine phone updates. Tracey’s condition fluctuated for weeks, with moments of improvement followed by sudden decline. Tragically, she died on June 20, leaving behind a partner and two children who were just finding their footing in life. Her family now channels their grief into advocacy through the Cork-based Irish Sepsis Foundation, hoping to educate others about warning signs and the importance of early intervention.
Why Awareness Matters
Tracey’s story underscores a critical issue: delayed recognition of sepsis can have devastating consequences. James emphasizes that learning the signs before sepsis reaches your door could change the outcome. The film positionally argues that early diagnosis saves lives, and it invites viewers to think about what could have been different with faster recognition and treatment.
From Trauma to Purpose: The Documentarian’s Lens
Director Kim Wyse brings her own experience with sepsis during pregnancy into the project. In 2016 she battled a Crohn’s-related abscess, with sepsis forcing a four-week hospital stay and an emergency delivery at 34 weeks. Her reflections reveal the challenge of recognizing sepsis in the moment and the long shadow it casts on families. Wyse’s account of her near-miss resonates with Tracey’s family story, illustrating how sepsis crosses generations and circumstances.
The Human Cost: Survivors and Families
Sepsis leaves a ripple effect. Wyse describes lingering fatigue, PTSD, and anxiety years after treating the infection. The documentary also highlights Savita Halappanavar’s death in 2012, a national touchstone in Ireland that intensified public conversations about sepsis and access to urgent care. By sharing these experiences, the film aims to normalize sepsis conversations, demystify its symptoms, and encourage people to seek timely help.
Hope Through Education and Community Action
Beyond personal narratives, Sepsis: A Story of Loss, Love and Survival spotlights community efforts. James, now deputy chairman of the Irish Sepsis Foundation, and Wyse’s own journey as a volunteer demonstrate how education and peer support can transform fear into proactive care. The foundation notes that sepsis affected thousands of families in 2023, including vulnerable groups such as pregnancy-related cases and children, underscoring the need for public awareness campaigns and accessible information.
Streaming and access
The documentary premieres on October 23 at the Odeon Cinema in Point Square, Dublin. Free tickets are available via the Irish Sepsis Foundation on Eventbrite, inviting audiences to engage with real stories while learning the warning signs and actions that can save lives.
A Call to Remember
Sepsis can be sudden and unforgiving, but education, empathy, and timely care can shift outcomes. The eight stories in Sepsis: A Story of Loss, Love and Survival remind us that prevention and early treatment are within reach when communities come together to spread awareness and understanding.
