1. 2017 C.DIFF SUMMIT & NATIONAL STRATEGY MEETING
Empowering Sepsis Advocates
Thomas Heymann
April 27th, 2017
Happy to be here.
We have been at this for 10 years now so we have learned a lot and we’re still learning.
Hope I can share some experiences that will helpful to your work to help save lives.
Title was learning from volunteers - we think of it more of empowering our volunteer community

2. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
ABOUT SEPSIS ALLIANCE
Sepsis Alliance is a charitable organization founded in 2007, by Dr. Carl Flatley, whose daughter Erin died unnecessarily of sepsis when she was 23 years old.
RELUCTANT VOLUNTEER
does all 4 of the things we do - as a volunteer
Nation’s first and largest sepsis advocacy organization
Partnerships in place with leading industry, healthcare, advocacy, & government organizations
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

3. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
OUR MISSION
Save lives and reduce suffering by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency.
Sepsis will impact 1 in 3 Americans in their lifetime
Sepsis will kill 1 in 15
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

4. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
Empower volunteers to create change in our 4 areas of strategic focus:
Public awareness and education
Health provider education
Legislative advocacy
Survivor and family member support
LIKE A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
RAISE AWARENESS
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

5. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PUBLIC EDUCATION
AND AWARENESS
Salutations for Sepsis
Give you some examples
engagement opportunities can come in all shapes and sizes
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

6. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PUBLIC EDUCATION
AND AWARENESS
Spike Out Sepsis
9th year
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

7. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Volunteers hosting awareness tables at community events
One of our volunteers from California at an event in her condominium community
See she has all kinds of materials and she is a survivor so she is credible and very passionate = great representative
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

8. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
HEALTH PROVIDER EDUCATION
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

9. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Faces of Sepsis contributor and Sepsis Alliance volunteer Karen Thieken was honored by Georgia governor Nathan Deal and Representative Chuck Efstration for her work raising sepsis awareness in the community.
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

10. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
SURVIVOR AND FAMILY MEMBER SUPPORT
Faces of Sepsis survivor and tribute stories for those affected by sepsis
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

11. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
ALL IN ONE
Laura Messineo, RN, MHA, and SA board member hosts the annual Illinois Sepsis Challenge.
Educates the public
Educates and engages health professionals
Engages lawmakers
Provides community for survivors.
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

12. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PRO TIPS
Make it easy for individuals and communities to help raise awareness- “How You Can Help” drop down menu on sepsis.org
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

13. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PRO TIPS
Form partnerships with government groups, corporations, healthcare networks and hospitals
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

14. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PRO TIPS
Promote the activities
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

15. PRO TIPS Recognize success and encourage involvement with shout outs
Newsletter
Sepsis Heroes gala

16. PRO TIPS
Build community- share stories and materials to foster a growing knowledge and awareness of sepsis and its potentially devastating effects

17. PRO TIPS
Embrace creativity

18. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
VIRTUOUS CIRCLE: ENGAGING YOUR COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION COMMUNITY
Board of Directors
Survivors
Family
Medical Professionals
Increased Support and involvement make us stronger
Want to help
Increase sepsis awareness. Introduce new potential supporters to organization. Act as ambassadors for SA. Inspire new wave of volunteers. Raise $
Host events. Reach personal networks.
Share their story
Successful Activities
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

19. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
PUBLIC EDUCATION - IN-HOSPITAL
This video is also running as a :20 PSA on HULU and we are adapting it into a radio PSA
Great story to reinforce this idea of a virtuous circle because
I met Marnie at a SIPS
She and her husband supported the organization
She shared her family’s story with the media
She became a board member
She is now a speaker out next Friday’s Salutations for Sepsis event in South Orange
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

20. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
THANK YOU!
Q&A
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org

21. Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org
CONTACT INFORMATION
Thomas Heymann, Executive Director
Sepsis Alliance | Sepsis.org