Erika C. Collins Joins Sepsis Alliance Board of Directors

Sepsis Survivor and New York Lawyer Erika Collins joins the Sepsis Alliance Board of Directors to help save lives from sepsis.

Sepsis Alliance, the nation’s first and leading sepsis organization, is pleased to announce that Erika C. Collins has joined its Board of Directors. In 2014, after a week of flu-like symptoms, Erika was admitted to the ICU with septic shock. As a sepsis survivor, Erika is committed to advocating for and increasing sepsis education and awareness.

“Erika is going to be an incredible addition to the Sepsis Alliance Board of Directors,” said Thomas Heymann, President and Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. “As we continue to grow and make local and national governments take notice of the burden of sepsis, we need passionate individuals to help us navigate the system for positive change. Erika will be invaluable in this pursuit.”

Erika is a Shareholder in the Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice at Epstein Becker Green. Based in New York, she co-heads the firm’s International Employment Law group. Erika works with multinational public and private companies on complex international employment and human resources matters, with a particular focus on navigating cross-border legal and cultural differences.

“I am thrilled to join the Sepsis Alliance Board. I look forward to advocating for more awareness and education about sepsis and believe that my legal experience and my experience as a sepsis survivor will be an asset in this endeavor.”

In the United States, sepsis affects 1.7 million people and takes 270,000 lives each year. Almost 60% of sepsis survivors experience worsened mental and/or physical function. Every year, more children in the United States die of sepsis (6,800) than of pediatric cancers. To learn more about sepsis and how you can help save lives, please visit www.sepsis.org

About Sepsis Alliance

Sepsis Alliance is the leading sepsis organization in the U.S., working to save lives and reduce suffering by improving sepsis awareness and care. In 2011, Sepsis Alliance designated September as Sepsis Awareness Month to bring healthcare professionals and community members together in the fight against sepsis. Sepsis Alliance gives a voice to the millions of people who have been touched by sepsis – to the survivors, and the friends and family members of those who have survived or who have died. Since 2003, sepsis awareness in the U.S. has risen from 19% to 65%. Sepsis Alliance is a GuideStar Platinum Rated charity. For more information, please visit www.sepsis.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter at @SepsisAlliance.