Ciarán Staunton

Ciarán is the co-founder of END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton, a US-based nonprofit that works to end preventable deaths from sepsis. The organization was established in 2012 by Staunton and his wife, Orlaith, following the death of their twelve-year-old son, Rory, from undiagnosed and untreated sepsis. In 2013, END SEPSIS (formerly the Rory Staunton Foundation), was instrumental in the implementation of Rory’s Regulations, which require all hospitals in New York State to adopt evidence-based protocols for the rapid identification and treatment of sepsis. These regulations have led to a 40% decrease in pediatric sepsis and saved 16,000 lives in New York State between 2015 and 2019, per the New York State Department of Health.

The Stauntons have launched sepsis awareness campaigns and education initiatives targeting school students, parents, and healthcare professionals. As the leading figures in the fight against sepsis in the US, they have shared their story and their work widely at national and international conferences and symposia, on Capitol Hill and via numerous media outlets including the Today Show, the New York Times, and People Magazine. The Stauntons were responsible for the first hearing on Sepsis in the U.S. Senate and have consistently challenged public health officials, legislators, and the healthcare establishment to develop and fund evidence-based strategies to reduce sepsis mortality and morbidity in the United States and beyond.

On September 24, 2013, Ciaran testified at the first Senate Hearing on Sepsis. The Foundation is also responsible for the development of sepsis education programs for schools and the Annual National Forum on Sepsis, which brings together policymakers, healthcare experts, educators, and patient advocates to address challenges, recognize best practices and chart new pathways in the fight against sepsis. In 2015, the Foundation established the National Family Council on Sepsis, a network of families impacted by sepsis, that provides a platform for members to advocate for improved sepsis care in their states and nationally and acts as a support group for victims and their loved ones.

In 2016 following protracted efforts by the Rory Staunton Foundation, the federal government for the first time allocated major funding towards sepsis. In August 2016 The CDC declared sepsis a “medical emergency.” Members of the National Family Council participated in four PSA announcements produced by the Rory Staunton Foundation that went viral with over half a million views in the first few days. In September 2016 the Rory Staunton Foundation was honored with a Global Sepsis Award because of its “unique success to increase awareness for sepsis on all levels of society.”