Celebrate Intensive Care on Friday 13th

Friday 13 April 2007
Media Release

Celebrate Intensive Care on Friday 13th

Friday the 13th is a lucky day for many who have survived life threatening injuries or illnesses thanks to Intensive Care. Funds raised from this year’s Intensive Care Appeal from April 10 to 23 will go towards vital clinical research to help save lives and improve outcomes of the 148,000 people, including 7,300 children, who are admitted to Intensive Care in Australia and New Zealand each year.

One of the research projects funded this year, entitled Australasian Resuscitation in Sepsis Evaluation (The ARISE Study) targets Sepsis, which is one of Intensive Care’s and Emergency Department’s main killers. Severe Sepsis, an overwhelming infection causing failure of vital organs, affects more than 13,000 people every year in Australia and New Zealand. Approximately 4,000 of these patients die.

The ARISE Study will help patients like Sarah Bolton Hall, 26, who was healthy until struck down with Severe Sepsis and admitted to ICU on Friday 13th. Luckily Sarah survived and six months later is on the path of recovery.

Another Australian and New Zealand study, headed by Dr John Beca, Clinical Director, Paediatric ICU, Starship Children's Health, will look at whether cooling improves outcomes for children with traumatic brain injury, which is one of the most common causes of death and disability in childhood. Children involved in the study will be cooled to 32-33 degrees Celsius for 72 hours to see if secondary damage, such as brain swelling, can be reduced.

“This is a relatively simple and cheap treatment and if it did reduce the amount of brain damage following trauma it would make a huge difference to children around the world,” Dr Beca said.

A world unto their own, Intensive Care Units have specialised staff, the latest life support technology and around-the-clock one-on-one care, working together to help save lives. Even the simplest of research into the best way for patients to receive nutrition could mean the difference between life and death.

Add a little colour to someone’s life on Black Friday with a colourful wristband or key ring to support the Intensive Care Appeal. These are available at any ANZ branch (Australia only), Jester’s Pies stores (NZ only), or your local Intensive Care Unit, for $2. Proceeds go towards vital research to help save lives. You’ll not only look good, but you’ll feel good too. Donations: www.intensivecareappeal.com or 1300 650 254 (Australia only).

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