Maryland Mother Raises Awareness About Sepsis After Losing Son
Maryland mother, Brooke DeSantis, is on a mission to raise awareness about sepsis after losing her five-year-old son, Lochlin, to the life-threatening condition in January 2020. Lochlin had initially been diagnosed with the flu, but his condition quickly deteriorated, and he passed away within 12 hours of being taken to the hospital.
Sepsis is a severe immune system response to infection that can lead to organ failure and death. It affects 1.7 million Americans annually, resulting in 350,000 deaths per year. Early recognition and treatment of sepsis are crucial, as delays can increase the risk of death.
In honor of Lochlin, Brooke and her husband established the charity Love for Lochlin and lobbied for the passage of Lochlin’s Law in Maryland. The law, set to take effect in 2025, requires hospitals and urgent care centers to implement protocols for the early recognition and treatment of sepsis for both adult and pediatric patients.
Love for Lochlin is also working to increase access to flu vaccines to prevent sepsis from developing in the first place. By advocating for increased awareness and protocols, Brooke hopes to prevent other families from experiencing the tragedy of losing a loved one to sepsis.
Through their efforts, Brooke and her family are determined to make a difference and ensure that Lochlin’s legacy lives on through improved care for those at risk of sepsis.
“Infuriatingly humble tv expert. Friendly student. Travel fanatic. Bacon fan. Unable to type with boxing gloves on.”