The bipartisan bill, named for a four-year-old who was lost to
sepsis, will enable the U.S. to tackle a condition that takes the
lives of nearly 20 children each day.
WASHINGTON, April 18,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A bill named in memory of
four-year-old Ana Lucía "Lulu" Haynes, who passed away from
sepsis in 2014, has been reintroduced in the House of
Representatives. It arrives ahead of next week's Pediatric Sepsis
Week observance, which provides an annual opportunity to raise
awareness of the symptoms of sepsis in children and honor the
75,000 children who, like Lulu, develop sepsis in the U.S. each
year. The Sepsis Harm and Cost Reduction Act, or Lulu's Law,
develops a U.S. strategy for responding to sepsis and launches a
program of state-based information repositories to improve sepsis
diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. This will help to answer the
many unanswered questions about this condition, improve our ability
to diagnose and treat it, and organize the country's strategy for
solving sepsis. The legislation is championed by Sepsis Alliance,
the nation's first and leading sepsis organization, and jointly
sponsored by Representative Mikie
Sherrill (D-NJ-11), who represents Lulu's district, and
Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D.
(R-IN-08).
Sepsis, the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to
infection, affects 1.7 million people in the U.S. each year, taking
the lives of over 350,000 adults and nearly 7,000 children. Like
heart attack or stroke, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires
rapid diagnosis and treatment. Patients can experience tissue
damage, organ failure, and death. Sepsis is the number one cause of
death and cost of care ($62 billion
annually) in U.S. hospitals. Many sepsis survivors are left with
debilitating and costly after-effects, which can include
amputations and post-sepsis syndrome.
According to Sepsis Alliance, children, particularly those under
five, can be especially susceptible to developing sepsis. Pediatric
sepsis symptoms can include feeling abnormally cold to touch;
mottled, bluish, or very pale skin; a rash that does not fade when
pressed; very fast breathing; convulsions; and lethargy. Families
can learn more and download vital information by visiting
PediatricSepsisWeek.org.
"We're losing nearly 20 children each day in the U.S. to
sepsis—and one in three who do survive are left with long-term
complications," said Thomas Heymann,
President and CEO of Sepsis Alliance. "That's why, this Pediatric
Sepsis Week, it is so heartening to see the reintroduction of
Lulu's Law, a serious effort to tackle the enormous national burden
of sepsis. Sepsis Alliance applauds and sincerely thanks
Representative Sherrill and Representative Bucshon for their
leadership on this vital bill."
In Representative Bucshon's state of Indiana, Josslyn's Law—named for an
18-month-old who was lost to sepsis—has made significant
improvements in sepsis care statewide. Now, Dr. Bucshon is
sponsoring a national bill. "Sepsis is a critical health condition
affecting patients and families across Indiana and the nation, and Congress must
support those who are developing a strategy to combat it," Dr.
Bucshon said. "As a physician, it is my hope and belief that Lulu's
Law will help providers, researchers, innovators, and ultimately
patients by providing a better understanding of sepsis and what is
needed for treatment and prevention."
"New Jersey has the third
highest sepsis mortality rate in the United States—and to better
aid families facing this diagnosis, and ultimately save lives, we
need to invest in sepsis research and treatment," said
Representative Sherrill. "As we recognize Pediatric Sepsis Week,
I'm taking action by introducing Lulu's Law, a bipartisan and
critical piece of legislation—named for a young girl from
New Jersey who tragically passed
in 2014 from sepsis—to win the fight against this 'hidden
killer.'"
"Lulu had a big, bright, exuberant personality," said
Lukas Haynes, Lulu's father and
Sepsis Alliance Board of Directors member. "She was also a helper
in the classroom and had an eye for those who needed assistance.
Her confident, generous spirit is what inspires us to educate and
advance this vital national initiative to save lives, especially
those of children."
For more information on Lulu's Law and sepsis, please visit
Sepsis.org.
Media Contact:
Amanda Feinman (she/her)
Advocacy Communications & Operations Senior Manager
Sepsis Alliance
afeinman@sepsis.org
About Sepsis Alliance
Sepsis Alliance, a leading patient advocacy organization, is
saving lives and reducing suffering by improving sepsis awareness
and care. Through Sepsis.org, Sepsis Alliance Institute, Sepsis
Alliance Voices, Sepsis Alliance Connect, and Sepsis Innovation
Collaborative, Sepsis Alliance is providing healthcare
professionals, the general public, and those touched by sepsis with
the education, support, and advocacy to save lives and limbs.
Sepsis Alliance is enacting and influencing positive change for the
1.7 million people diagnosed with sepsis each year including the
350,000 adults and 6,800 children who die in the U.S. Infection
prevention is sepsis prevention. For more information on Sepsis
Alliance, a GuideStar Platinum Rated and Charity Navigator
Four-Star rated 501(c)3 charity, visit Sepsis.org.
Media Contact
Alexandria Colvin, Sepsis
Alliance, 1 6192320300, acolvin@sepsis.org, http://sepsis.org
Amanda Feinman, Sepsis Alliance,
1 6192320300, afeinman@sepsis.org, http://sepsis.org
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SOURCE Sepsis Alliance