September Reflection: A Month of Action and Sepsis Awareness
September, often regarded as a transitional month, holds a unique significance in my life. It's a time for new beginnings, a period when I set goals and challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone.
This September was particularly special as it marked Sepsis Awareness Month, an opportunity for me to share my personal experience and raise awareness about the traumatic loss of my beloved father, John O'Rourke, to this life-threatening condition.
In my career in the media, I've grown accustomed to being the interviewer and presenter. However, becoming the interviewee was a different challenge altogether. I believe in pushing past one's comfort zone and encouraging my clients to put themselves out there. So, when the opportunity arose, I decided to step up and share my story as widely as possible. This culminated in an appearance on Virgin Media Television's Ireland AM, emphasising the importance of Sepsis Awareness alongside Dr. Michael O'Dwyer from the Health Service Executive.
My commitment to Sepsis Awareness went beyond media appearances. It started with a big goal and a to-do list that seemed overwhelming at the beginning of the month. I wanted to honour my father's memory and all those affected by sepsis by lighting up my home town, Tullamore, in red.
The journey began with an open letter to public representatives in Offaly, requesting that they illuminate their buildings in red for World Sepsis Awareness Day on September 13th. I extended my request to the Ministers for Health and Agriculture, as both departments had a substantial presence in our town, and my father had been a lifelong public servant in the Department of Agriculture.
To my surprise and deep gratitude, Tullamore Town Hall was lit up in red, a touching tribute that moved my mother and me profoundly. I'm immensely thankful to Councillors Declan Harvey and Eddie Fitzpatrick, Jean Ryan and AnnMarie Kelly of Offaly County Council, and Arlene Crean and Karen Davis Holden of the Health Service Executive for their support and collaboration in making this happen.
Tullamore Town Hall lit up in Red for World Sepsis Day 2023 in honour of John O’ Rourke and all thoseaffected by Sepsis.
I've come to realize that this kind of work demands more of oneself than you might typically give in public. It asks for vulnerability and dedication, and I do it because I know my father would be genuinely honoured to have his legacy associated with raising awareness about sepsis.
So, I encourage you, if there's something you'd like to achieve, find like-minded individuals to collaborate with and remember that there's no harm in asking.
My heart aches as I remember the loss of my father in 2020 to this devastating condition. I still carry the burden of not recognizing the signs of sepsis, and it's a regret that lingers.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition triggered by an infection, affecting vital organs and claiming the lives of one in five people who develop it. The statistics are alarming: sepsis kills more people each year than heart attacks, strokes, or almost any cancer. In 2021, over 13,000 patients received treatment for sepsis in Irish hospitals. Sepsis can affect the entire body, regardless of where the infection originates.
Sharing my family's sepsis journey has been a difficult and emotional process. It requires time, effort, and a willingness to open old wounds. But I do it because my father, a dedicated public servant, believed in doing the right thing. I also believe in authenticity, and it's only fair that I share my story if I ask my clients to do the same.
So, today, I have a simple request. Please read the signs of sepsis provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) below and share them with your loved ones. If in doubt, always ask: Could this be sepsis?
Shivering, fever, or feeling very cold
Extreme pain or discoloured, mottled skin
Difficulty waking up or confusion
The feeling of impending doom
Shortness of breath and discomfort
Paleness
Remember, you could save a life with this knowledge. Let's spread the word and raise awareness, ensuring that no one else suffers the same regret I carry in my heart. If in doubt phone emergency services and ask Could this be Sepsis?
