Could you spot Sepsis? New campaign launched as Co Antrim woman shares devastating loss of her husband

Danielle with late husband Christopher Webb, and son Adam

In a quiet corner of County Antrim, Danielle Webb’s world was shattered just four days after her wedding to Christopher, a devoted husband and father.

On 19 December 2022, Christopher, aged 38, succumbed to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that escalated within a mere 56 hours.

His sudden and devastating death has been highlighted in a vital new campaign launched this June by charity Sepsis Research FEAT, supported by Dr Jon Silversides, Senior Critical Care Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast.

The initiative, aimed at raising sepsis awareness across Northern Ireland’s communities, seeks to bridge a critical knowledge gap revealed by a recent YouGov survey and prevent other families from enduring the heartbreak Danielle and her young son, Adam, now face.

A love story cut short

Danielle and Christopher’s story began with joy and promise. On 14 December 2022, the day before their wedding, Christopher woke at 6am complaining of a sore throat and flu-like symptoms, including a “pins and needle sensation” in his throat.

Assuming it was the onset of a common flu, the couple purchased over-the-counter medication from a local chemist.

“Chris was a very loving man who doted on his family. He loved life and being a daddy. His life really took on purpose when his son was born, he was an amazing father and husband,” Danielle recalls, her words filled with both love and sorrow.

Danielle with late husband Christopher Webb on their wedding day

Despite feeling unwell, Christopher pushed through their wedding day on 15 December, determined to make it a memorable occasion. However, by the following morning, his condition had worsened significantly.

He reported a rattle in his chest and overwhelming sleepiness despite having slept through the night.

Alarmed, Danielle called an ambulance. Initially, paramedics suggested a GP visit might suffice, but after assessing Christopher, they identified “borderline sepsis” and rushed him to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

Within 40 minutes, a paramedic called Danielle to reassure her that Christopher’s sepsis was not deemed life-threatening and that he would likely spend a few days in hospital. But the situation took a drastic turn.

A consultant soon contacted Danielle, explaining that Christopher was “extremely ill” and required immediate sedation and ventilation in intensive care.

“The doctors had told Chris at his bedside in A&E, in person, that he was very sick and would need to go off to sleep for a little while to help his body rest and heal,” Danielle shares.

True to his character, Christopher remained calm, a trait honed from managing severe allergic reactions in the past.

A rapid decline

At the hospital, Christopher was diagnosed with a streptococcus A (strep A) infection that had triggered toxic shock syndrome and septic shock.

His lungs, overwhelmed by pneumonia, required a ventilator, and with no ICU beds available, an operating theatre was converted to accommodate him. He was placed on IV antibiotics, the antiviral Tamiflu, and continuous monitoring, but his condition continued to deteriorate.

An abscess in his throat exacerbated the infection, and his liver and kidneys began to fail.

Despite dialysis, nitrous oxide to aid breathing, and cooling pads to manage his temperature, Christopher’s body could not withstand the onslaught.

Danielle’s late husband, Christopher Webb, with son Adam

On the morning of 19 December 2022, at 7:40am, he suffered a cardiac arrest and, despite 40 minutes of resuscitation efforts, passed away, leaving Danielle and their three-year-old son, Adam, to navigate an unimaginable loss.

“In sharing Chris’ story I hope that awareness is created around sepsis symptoms, how they can mimic flu, which can be deceptive, and the importance of getting treatment quickly. Hopefully his story will save a life and prevent another family from having to suffer the sort of tragedy that we have,” Danielle says.

She remembers Christopher as a vibrant man who loved Liverpool FC, horse racing, and relaxing on Saturday afternoons with a match on TV.

“I would love him to be remembered for the amazing man he was: funny and kind and loved fiercely,” she adds.

A critical lack of awareness

Christopher’s story underscores the urgency of Sepsis Research FEAT’s campaign, which is driven by alarming findings from a YouGov survey commissioned by the charity.

The survey revealed that only 32% of adults in Northern Ireland confidently know what sepsis is, with awareness particularly low among men, where just 25% understand the condition. While 89% of those familiar with sepsis recognise its life-threatening nature, 38% are unaware that any infection—bacterial, viral, or fungal—can trigger it.

Less familiar symptoms, such as passing little or no urine (27% aware) or very cold hands or legs (28% aware), are often overlooked, while rapid deterioration in health (76% aware) is the best-known warning sign.

Dr Andrew Conway Morris, Sepsis Research FEAT, Charity Medical Director, said:

“With only a third of people able to confidently recognise sepsis, and a general lack of understanding that sepsis can affect anyone, we are calling on families across Northern Ireland to speak up, look out for one another, and learn the signs. This is especially important for men, where awareness is consistently the lowest.”

He added:

“It’s reassuring that most people understand that sepsis can be life-threatening and that it demands urgent action. But we are concerned that key symptoms - such as not passing urine or having cold arms and legs - remain poorly recognised, and that there is not a good understanding of universal susceptibility.

“Anybody showing any symptom should seek urgent medical attention.”

A regional call to action

Dr Jon Silversides, a Consultant and Clinical Senior Lecturer in Critical Care at Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, is at the forefront of this campaign, which seeks to address unique challenges in Northern Ireland, such as rural healthcare access, delays in symptom recognition, and widespread public misunderstanding of sepsis.

“Tackling sepsis effectively and raising awareness of the dangers amongst the population of Northern Ireland is a pressing public health issue,” Dr Silversides said.

“I am pleased that the charity Sepsis Research is meeting this need with its Northern Ireland sepsis awareness campaign this summer. This exercise is critical to achieving improved awareness and health outcomes by educating the public, encouraging early help-seeking, and supporting healthcare professionals in identifying and treating sepsis more rapidly.”

The campaign, running throughout June, encourages families to “Speak Up for Sepsis” through intergenerational conversations and public messaging.

Sepsis Research FEAT is urging communities to learn the warning signs, which include feeling extremely unwell, a non-fading rash (similar to meningitis checks), decreased urine output, dizziness or fainting, uncontrollable shivering, severe pain, or no improvement on antibiotics.

The charity emphasises that sepsis can mimic flu-like symptoms, as it did in Christopher’s case, making early recognition challenging even for clinicians.

“It is often difficult for even the best trained clinicians to recognise the point where symptoms have tipped over into life-threatening sepsis,” the charity notes, stressing the importance of trusting instincts and seeking urgent medical advice if symptoms worsen.

The power of patient champions

A key focus of the campaign is the role of patient champions—family members or friends who advocate for loved ones.

“We all need someone to champion us when we are feeling our worst. Anyone can be a patient champion and it’s their advocacy that can turn awareness into action and help to ensure prompt medical treatment. Above all, always trust your instincts,” Dr Conway Morris said.

For Danielle, this message resonates deeply. Had the rapid progression of Christopher’s condition been recognised sooner, the outcome might have been different.

She urges others to act swiftly:

“So, my message would be: Live life! Life is so precious and too fragile to live it half-heartedly. We are so privileged to have life and we should live it to the fullest.”

A legacy of love and awareness

Danielle’s courage in sharing Christopher’s story is a cornerstone of the campaign, which aims to transform tragedy into action.

“Be happy, be cautious and love deeply. Make every day count. Grief is a terrible road to walk and is a road you will never be able to get off. That doesn’t mean that the sun won’t shine for you and that you won’t find joy along the road,” she says.

By honouring Christopher’s memory, Danielle hopes to prevent other families from enduring similar pain.

“Chris was a huge character and loved me deeply. I let that love live on in me and Adam and I do the best I can, honouring and remembering Chris along the way,” she adds.

Sepsis Research FEAT’s Northern Ireland campaign is a call to action for communities to educate themselves, trust their instincts, and act fast. By learning the signs of sepsis and advocating for loved ones, families can turn awareness into life-saving action.

Signs of sepsis include:

• Feeling extremely unwell (the worst you have ever felt)

• A non-fading rash (similar to checks for meningitis)

• Decreased urine output (not peeing much/at all)

• Dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness 

• Uncontrollable shivering or rigours

• Severe pain 

• No improvement whilst on antibiotics

Key statistics on Sepsis 

• In 2017, there were approximately 48.9 million sepsis cases worldwide, resulting in 11 million deaths, accounting for nearly a fifth of all global fatalities.

• Roughly one in five patients diagnosed with sepsis will succumb to the illness, with the mortality rate increasing to one in three for critically unwell patients with low blood pressure ("shock"). 

• In the UK, around 50,000 people die from sepsis annually, equating to over 5 deaths every hour. 

• Circa 250k cases in the UK every year - or roughly one every 12 minutes.

• Sepsis takes more lives in the UK every year than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.

• Around half of those who survive sepsis will go on to experience life-changing consequences - from PTSD to amputations.

About Sepsis Research FEAT 

Sepsis Research FEAT, the UK’s only sepsis research and awareness charity, is dedicated to combating the devastating effects of sepsis. 

Sepsis Research FEAT traces its origins to the tragic events of August 2012 when Dr Fiona Elizabeth Agnew, a beloved Falkirk-based GP, and her unborn daughter Isla lost their lives to sepsis.

The charity was founded in 2013 as FEAT, the Fiona Elizabeth Agnew Trust, by Fiona's husband Craig Stobo. It emerged from Craig's profound grief and his determination to honour Fiona's memory by spearheading sepsis research and awareness-raising in order to prevent other similar tragedies. 

Fiona's passion for medicine began in childhood, leading to a career as a respected general practitioner. Alongside Craig she embraced parenthood, welcoming their first child in 2010 and eagerly anticipating the arrival of their second in September 2012. 

The devastating turn of events unfolded swiftly. On the evening of Friday August 24th 2012 Fiona was admitted to the hospital after suddenly falling ill. Despite a reassuring antenatal scan the previous day she was diagnosed with an infection and subsequently sepsis.

Tragically, baby Isla was stillborn at 5:10 am on Saturday August 25th while Fiona's condition rapidly deteriorated. 

Despite the tireless efforts of medical staff, Fiona succumbed to multiple organ failure caused by sepsis at 1:50 am on Sunday August 26th 2012. Her deterioration was swift and unexpected, underscoring the urgency of addressing sepsis awareness and research. 

In the aftermath of this profound loss, Craig made a pledge to fund research and raise awareness of sepsis, driven by the conviction that no other family should endure a similar tragedy. Thus, Sepsis Research FEAT was born, dedicated to saving lives and improving outcomes through research and education. 

Sepsis arises when the body’s extreme response to infection escalates rapidly leading to severe damage to its own tissues and organs. This potentially life-threatening condition affects people of all ages and can progress swiftly, claiming millions of lives globally each year. 

For more information on sepsis symptoms and how to get involved, visit Sepsis Research FEAT’s website.