ATLANTA – State Representative Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula) will lead the Georgia House of Representatives in honoring Karen Thieken on Monday, March 20, 2017 for her work in conjunction with Sepsis Alliance to help raise awareness of the life-threatening condition in Georgia.
“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. “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.”
Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threating response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. It is a condition that is preventable and treatable, and thousands of lives can be saved each year by simply raising awareness of sepsis and its signs and symptoms.
Thieken will be joined on Monday by her husband, two children, as well as two advocates from the Southeast Chapter of the Society for Critical Care Medicine.
“We’re excited Karen is receiving this well-deserved recognition for the outstanding work she’s done in her community,” said Thomas Heymann, Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. “Just 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. It’s volunteers like Karen who make a difference and save lives from sepsis.”
Sepsis Alliance is the nation’s leading sepsis advocacy organization, dedicated to saving lives by raising awareness of sepsis as a medical emergency. A 501(c)(3) organization, Sepsis Alliance was founded by Dr. Carl Flatley after the sudden, unnecessary death of his daughter Erin to a disease he had never even heard of. Sepsis Alliance produces and distributes educational materials for patients, families and health providers on sepsis prevention, early recognition and treatment. The organization also offers support to patients, sepsis survivors, and family members through its sepsis.org website which receives more than 1 million visits each year. The organization founded Sepsis Awareness Month in 2011, and works with partners to host community outreach events across North America. Since Sepsis Alliance began its mission, sepsis awareness has increased almost threefold.
For more information on Sepsis Alliance, please click here.
Representative Chuck Efstration represents the citizens of District 104, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013, and currently serves as Vice Chairman on the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. He also serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, and Juvenile Justice committees.
###