Our Mission.
Sepsis deaths and disabilities devastate hundreds of thousands of families each year. It’s our mission to end that. Through aggressive public policy initiatives and comprehensive sepsis education for adults and children, we fight to make sure that no more lives are lost to this preventable, treatable condition.
About Us.
END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton, was founded in 2012 following the preventable death of 12-year-old Rory Staunton from undiagnosed, untreated sepsis. In the United States, over 350,000 people die each from sepsis, a preventable and treatable condition. Hundreds of thousands more are left with devastating disabilities.
END SEPSIS is a movement of families and individuals fighting for a world without preventable deaths from sepsis. We relentlessly pursue the implementation of public health policies that improve the rapid identification and treatment of sepsis and drastically reduce the sepsis death toll. Our public awareness campaigns increase public recognition of the signs of sepsis and the understanding of sepsis as a medical emergency. We know that together we can win the fight against sepsis. Join us.
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Our successes to date:
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- Sepsis funding for the CDC: The CDC received designated funding in the national budget to promote its sepsis hospital guidelines, improve data collection, collaborate with CMS on sepsis outcome measures and amplify its public awareness activities.
- Funding for sepsis in the United States budget: In a major breakthrough orchestrated by the END SEPSIS Expert Panel, in 2023, sepsis received line item funding for the first time in the national budget and CDC and CMS were given directives to step up their sepsis work.
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- New comprehensive sepsis guidelines for hospitals: After years of intense advocacy by END SEPSIS, in 2023 the CDC released its landmark Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, which provide comprehensive instruction for the monitoring and optimizing sepsis management in hospitals.
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- New focus on sepsis on the CDC website: In 2012, the CDC added sepsis to its disease directory for the first time at the request of END SEPSIS.
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- Bringing sepsis to the US Congress: END SEPSIS worked to orchestrate the first Senate Hearing on sepsis. Ciaran Staunton testified before Senator Harkin and the HELP Committee.
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- An annual convening of the best and the brightest: In 2013 END SEPSIS held the first National Forum on Sepsis. Our Forum remains the premier event on the sepsis calendar, bringing together leaders in government, public health, medicine, private industry and patient advocacy from across the country and around the globe.
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- Infection education for every New York healthcare worker: In 2017, END SEPSIS successfully advocated for the passage of Rory’s Staunton’s Law. The law requires that every dentist, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, podiatrist, optometrist and dental hygienist in New York State complete coursework or training on infection and sepsis prevention, approved by the Department of Health, every four years.
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- Infection education for every New York child: Rory Staunton’s Law, passed in 2017, also requires that all New York State schools receive the END SEPSIS comprehensive K-12 infection and sepsis curriculum, free of charge, on an annual basis.
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- A national movement of families: In 2015, END SEPSIS created the National Family Council on Sepsis, a movement of families from across the country working together to champion sepsis policies and awareness to end preventable deaths from sepsis.
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- A campaign to save our mothers: In 2019, END SEPSIS developed the End Maternal Sepsis initiative, the first of its kind, with funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, to better understand and address America’s maternal sepsis crisis.
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- A National Sepsis Awareness Day: In 2022, at the request of END SEPSIS, Senator Chuck Schumer proclaimed September 13th National Sepsis Awareness Day on the floor of the US Senate. He dedicated his work to Rory Staunton.
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- Bringing sepsis awareness to a national audience: The Stauntons have shared their story – and the signs of sepsis – with millions through featured stories on the Today Show and NPR and in People Magazine, the New York Times and other national news outlets.
7th National Forum on Sepsis
September 13, 2023
The 7th National Forum on Sepsis is held in Washington DC.
Sepsis Guidelines for US Hospitals
August 24, 2023
The CDC releases its landmark Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, which provide comprehensive instruction for the monitoring and optimizing sepsis management in hospitals. Read More.
GSA Board
January 9, 2023
Ciaran Staunton joins the board of the Global Sepsis Alliance,whose mission to provide global leadership to reduce the worldwide burden of sepsis.
Sepsis in the National Budget
December 29, 2022
Sepsis receives line item funding for the first time in the national budget and CDC and CMS were given directives to step up their sepsis work. Read more.
Irish Presidential Award
December 8, 2022
Stauntons receive the Irish Presidential Award. The awards honor those who have given distinguished service in the fields of peace-building, charitable work, business, education, arts, sport, and beyond. Read more.
Global Sepsis Summit
September 16, 2022
Ciaran Staunton delivers the keynote speech at the Global Sepsis Summit in Berlin.
A New National Sepsis Day
September 13, 2022
September 13th is declared National Sepsis Day on the floor of the United States Congress.
16,000 Lives Saved in NY
April 28, 2022
Rory’s Regulations, named for Rory Staunton, saved over 16,000 lives in New York State between 2014 and 2019, according to new data.
10 Years Without Rory
April 1, 2022
The Staunton Family and END SEPSIS mark 10 years since the tragic death of Rory Staunton. Read his story here.
Maternal Sepsis Campaign Launched
December 7, 2021
END SEPSIS launches its maternal sepsis campaign for patients and providers with webinars, digital media assets and a public service announcement. View the materials here.
SCCM Commentary Published
July 1, 2021
“That proven solutions to this crisis exist and are not being implemented is unconscionable. We call on the medical and public health community to step up and meet this challenge.”
END SEPSIS is invited to submit an editorial commentary to Critical Care Medicine. Read the full commentary here.
2020 Forum Held
October 8, 2020
END SEPSIS holds its 6th National Forum on Sepsis: The Future of Sepsis in a COVID World. View on demand here.
BARDA Drive
November 1, 2019
The Rory Staunton Foundation is awarded a major federal government contract under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s BARDA DRIVE division to develop a comprehensive program to reduce the instances of maternal sepsis in New York State.
JAMA study
July 1, 2019
A study published in the JAMA finds that the protocolized care introduced into hospitals by Rory’s Regulations resulted in a significantly greater decline in sepsis mortality compared with other states without regulations.
Fly to Fight Sepsis
September 10, 2018
The Rory Staunton Foundation and Roche Diagnostics launch Fly to Fight Sepsis, a viral sepsis awareness campaign that encourages participants to learn and share the signs of sepsis and take petition their elected representatives to take action on sepsis.
Journal of the American Medical Association
July 1, 2018
Rory’s Regulations have decreased pediatric sepsis death rates by 40%, according to data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
New Jersey Signs On
December 21, 2017New Jersey becomes the third state to impose mandatory sepsis protocols for every hospital, following extended advocacy by the Rory Staunton Foundation and the National Family Council on Sepsis.
Cuomo Signs “Rory Staunton’s Law”
October 24, 2017
Governor Andrew Cuomo signs “Rory Staunton’s Law”, providing comprehensive K-12 sepsis education for New York’s 3 million school children.The law also requires more than 450,000 healthcare professionals to complete mandatory sepsis training.
People Magazine Feature
September 19, 2017
People magazine publishes a series of articles and a video on the work of the Staunton family, educating a readership of 42 million about the signs and dangers of sepsis.
Landmark Resolution Passes
May 26, 2017Ciaran Staunton attends the 70th World Health Assembly, speaking in support of a landmark resolution dedicating $4.6 million to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sepsis worldwide. The resolution passes unanimously.
5,000 Lives Saved
March 16, 2017The first report on the impact of Rory’s Regulations in New York State are released. They show that the mandatory protocols saved more than 5,000 lives in their first 26 months of adoption.
Loreal’s Woman of Worth
October 16, 2016
Orlaith Staunton is selected from 6,100 nominees as a L’Oreal Woman of Worth for 2017. Each year, L’Oreal honors ten women who have made an extraordinary impact on their communities, shining an international spotlight on their causes.
Illinois Signs On
August 8, 2016Illinois becomes the second state to pass mandatory sepsis protocols, following New York’s model.
Sepsis Education Module
September 21, 2015
The Foundation launches its sepsis education module for middle and high school science students at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in Queens, N.Y.
National Family Council on Sepsis
September 5, 2015
The Foundation announces the formation of the National Family Council on Sepsis, a coalition of families impacted by sepsis that will lead the fight for sepsis awareness and improved sepsis policies at the state level.
New York City Marathon
November 2, 2014
The first sepsis team runs the New York City Marathon with proceeds going to the Rory Staunton Foundation.
The National Forum on Sepsis
September 14, 2014The Rory Staunton Foundation hosts the National Forum on Sepsis in Washington D.C., which will be held annually and become the most important sepsis event of the year.
Sepsis and The CDC
May 29, 2014
Upon the recommendation of the Rory Staunton Foundation, the CDC launches a sepsis section on its website to educate the public about sepsis.
Senate Hearings
September 23, 2013
Foundation Co-Founders, Orlaith and Ciaran Staunton, succeed in initiating the first ever U.S. Senate Hearings on Sepsis.
Rory’s Regulations
January 29, 2013
New York becomes the first state in the nation to require every hospital to adopt evidence-based protocols for the rapid identification and treatment of sepsis.
The Rory Staunton Foundation is Established
January 1, 2013
Rory’s Death
April 1, 2012
Rory Staunton dies of undiagnosed, untreated sepsis in New York City. His death receives widespread media attention.
