THREE cyclists are biking from Haverfordwest to Westminster in a bid to raise awareness of the life-threatening condition, sepsis.

Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It can be caused by something as simple as a cut or insect bite, or an infection like pneumonia. It is also a risk following surgery, or for women who have just given birth.

Terence Canning, Patient Representative and Trustee with the UK Sepsis Trust, Chris Hancock, Programme Manager for the Rapid Response to Acute Illness Learning Set (RRAILS) programme in NHS Wales, and Darren Ware, UK Sepsis Trust supporter, set off from Withybush Hospital this morning.

In 2012, Terence’s family were devastated when his brother, Mark – a physically fit 41-year-old - died from organ failure due to sepsis. Mark was married, and had a three-year-old daughter.

During their ‘Cycle for Sepsis’, the men will call at Welsh hospitals - and one hospital in England – to spread the message about the condition, and highlight the excellent work clinical teams are doing to combat it. They plan to arrive in London in time to attend the Sepsis Trust’s annual Parliamentary reception.

“NHS Wales participates in RRAILS, and over the last year Welsh Hospitals have come on in leaps and bounds in helping staff recognise sepsis quickly, and respond faster,” said Chris. “It really is good news.”

Terence hopes the trio’s endeavour will draw more attention to the existence of the deadly condition, which kills an estimated 1,850 people a year in Wales, and 37,000 nationally.

“Our cycle links in to World Sepsis Day, which is on September 13th,” he said. “We want as many people as possible to be aware that sepsis is out there.”

Severe sepsis accounts for more deaths annually than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined, and is the highest cause of maternal death. More information is available from www.1000livesplus.wales.nhs.uk/world-sepsis-day