Sepsis awareness campaigner on mission after losing daughter

A BRAVE Brisbane dad who tragically lost his daughter to a deadly condition, is working tirelessly to ensure no other family suffers the heartache he has endured.

A BRAVE Brisbane dad who tragically lost his daughter to sepsis after a brush with the flu is working tirelessly to ensure no other family suffers the heartache he has endured.

Maddy Jones, 18, a vivacious law student, died one year ago this week after the flu led to sepsis, a deadly condition that causes the body to attack its own tissues and organs.

Almost 18,000 Australians get sepsis every year – 5000 people die as a result, and half the survivors are left with severe disabilities and impaired function.

But despite the horrific impact of sepsis in the community, it’s a condition even many doctors still struggle to identify – something Damian Jones hopes to change.

Maddy Jones died of sepsis.

The dedicated dad has spent the past year raising awareness about the killer condition, establishing the Maddy Jones Foundation in the hope that no other person will die from sepsis due to a lack of awareness.

Now he has been nominated for a 2018 Pride of Australia Award for his campaign against the scourge that stole his daughter.

“People are so shocked when they hear about Maddy, and most people that reach out had never heard of sepsis before, and that’s what we want to change,” he said.

Maddy Jones with her dad Damian.

“As a family, Maddy has left us with beautiful memories.

“With those memories, and through her experience, we want to try to help save the lives of others; we want that to be Maddy’s gift to the world.”

Mr Jones said it had been a tough year for the family but they were making strides with sepsis awareness.

“We look back and think, ‘Wow, it doesn’t seem like a year’, but in other ways, it does. It’s really still surreal, to be honest,” he said.

“It’s difficult, but you’ve got to wake up every day, and we just support each other the best we can.

“I definitely think we are already seeing increased awareness about sepsis.”

Of his Pride of Australia nomination, Mr Jones said he was surprised but glad to see sepsis awareness was spreading.

To nominate someone for a Pride of Australia award, go to prideofaustralia.com.au.

Damian Jones. Picture: Liam Kidston.

SIGNS OF SEPSIS

Altered mental state

Fever, chills or shivering

Confusion, slurred speech or disorientation

Low urine output

Low blood pressure

Rapid heart rate

Difficult or rapid breathing

Discoloured skin

Muscle pain

Apathy

Dizziness

Sleepiness