Atlanta Woman Honored By State Lawmakers For Her Role In The Fight Against Sepsis

ATLANTA, Ga. – An Atlanta woman was honored by the state House of Representatives on Monday for helping to raise awareness for a little-known medical condition that nearly killed her five years ago.

State Representative Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula) led the state lawmaking body in honoring sepsis survivor Karen Thieken for her life-saving work in conjunction with the Sepsis Alliance to make people aware of the condition in Georgia.

The fight against the malady holds a personal meaning for Thieken, who was at home doing yardwork in April 2012 when she first passed out with very low blood pressure of 47. After being rushed to the hospital, she was initially diagnosed with meningitis before slipping into septic shock and being placed in a medically-induced coma all within a span of 12 hours.

It was only later that it was discovered that Thieken was instead suffering from sepsis, which is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection. The results can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and even death.

Sepsis, however, is preventable and treatable, meaning that thousands of lives can be saved each year by simply raising awareness of its symptoms, according to a Sepsis Alliance release.

“As a sepsis survivor who has been a strong advocate in her community for many years, we’re excited for Karen to receive this well-deserved recognition,” said Thomas Heymann, Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. “Only 55 percent of adults in the U.S. have heard of sepsis, so we’re grateful for the voice that Karen has given to raising awareness for this medical emergency. Volunteers like Karen make a difference and save lives from sepsis”

Sepsis kills more than 250,000 Americans annually, which is more than prostate cancer, breast cancer and AIDS combined, according to the Sepsis Alliance release. More than 42,000 American children develop severe sepsis each year, with 4,400 of those children losing their lives.

More than 26 million people from around the world are affected by sepsis each year, and it is the largest killer of children with more than five million deaths annually.

Symptoms of sepsis may include shivering and fever, extreme pain, accelerated heartbeat, sleepiness and difficulty to rouse, pale or discolored skin or shortness of breath.

“Karen Thieken’s ability to overcome her own battle with sepsis and use that experience to educate others about the impact and its dangers is truly inspirational,” said Rep. Efstration in a statement. “Her outstanding work in partnership with Sepsis Alliance to raise awareness of this life-threatening condition is admirable. I am honored to have an individual in my district like Mrs. Thieken who is dedicated to the betterment of others in our community, the state and across the country.”

During Monday’s presentation, Thieken was joined by her husband, two children, as well as two advocates from the Southeast Chapter of the Society for Critical Care Medicine.

The non-profit Sepsis Alliance was founded in 2007 by Dr. Carl Flatley following the death of his 23-year-old daughter to a disease of which he had never previously heard.

Photo courtesy of Sepsis Alliance