NESA launch tomorrow night
The launch of the North East Sepsis Awareness group is set to take place tomorrow night (Saturday) with a spooky fancy dress theme.
While there is no official dress code, there will be a prize of €500 for the best dressed group on the night, meanwhile the best dressed individual will go home with €300.
As you dance the night away to Shane McCluskey, Stiofan McCaffrey and the "King of Pop" DJ Charlie Lawless, judges will be milling around the crowd to see which costumes stand out the most. The Sepsis Warriors will also be giving out spot prizes.
The North East Sepsis Awareness group was created by The Sepsis Warriors, who are on a mission to spread awareness on the life-threatening condition to everybody in the north east of the country.
There are few community groups around the county now who have not received a visit from Hannah Tormey, Cathriona Flanagan, Sinead O’Reilly and Johanne Stafford, which is a testament to their dedication to helping people spot the signs and symptoms (below) and to support those affected navigate life after sepsis.
Nurse and Sepsis Warrior Cathriona Flanagan encouraged people to come along to the launch and celebrate the night with them.
"It's to raise funds for NESA, our campaign is to ensure that everybody in the north east is educated on the sign and symptoms.
"It's going to be a fabulous night," she predicted.
She is keen to share that the night will be "fun filled", however there is "no pressure" on anybody to dress up.
"You can dress up as you please from Peaky Blinders to The Adams Family, whichever you desire," she encouraged.
"It's all about launching NESA, getting our name out there and ensuring that everybody know the signs and symptoms."
Each of the group members have been affected by Sepsis, having lost family members or supporting family who have come through the illness but continue to deal with the after effects. Cathriona lost her mum to sepsis seven years ago and has since become determined to spread awareness.
She describes it as both "fantastic" and "overwhelming" to be launching NESA.
"The response we're receiving is unbelievable, I'm so proud to be part of NESA and I'm so proud to be part of the launch.
"It's amazing," she described.
Meanwhile, Cathriona will also participate in the Sea to Summit challenge in Westport along with her husband Jude, brother Matty, her best friend and her brother-in-law. The challenge involves a thirty-kilometre cycle and run, the latter of which will take part on Croagh Patrick. Taking place on November 8, they will raise funds for NESA. The Virginia native is "squeezing in" runs and cycles between work and preparing for tomorrow's launch event.
"It's a phenomenal event and so many people do it for their charities.
"I'm flying the flag for NESA," she said.
The NESA launch will take place at Benny's Music Venue in Bailieborough tomorrow, October 25, starting at 9pm until late. Entry is €20 on the door or tickets can be bought on eventbrite.
Know the signs and symptoms of sepsis:
- Slurred speech, new confusion, too sick to communicate, drowsiness.
- Extreme shivering, muscle aches, fever.
- Passing no urine in the last 12 hours and does not feel like passing urine.
- Shortness of breath, lips tinged with blue, feels like your heart is racing, dizzy when you sit or stand.
- I feel like I’m going to die.
- Skin mottled and discoloured, new rash that is still visible when pressed on with a clear glass (glass test).
If you have any of the symptoms above, seek urgent medical attention.