The Logan County High School chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) has been working with its state organization to better educate the community and raise funds for this year’s State Outreach Project, the Sepsis Alliance.

The Sepsis Alliance is the largest Sepsis advocacy organization in the United States, with a stated mission to “save lives and reduce suffering by raising awareness of Sepsis as a medical emergency.”

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection. Sepsis occurs when chemicals normally released into the bloodstream needed to fight an infection are out of balance, triggering changes that can damage multiple organ systems. The disease affects more than 1.6 million people in the United States annually—one every 20 seconds.

From Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, FCCLA chapter members presented information concerning this condition to the school’s student body and made additional information available via electronic media. On the last day of the activity, club members held a “Chuck the Change” event, which consisted of staffing buckets around campus to collect loose change. Due to these efforts, a check for $125 will go to the Sepsis Alliance to aid in their mission.

LCHS junior and FCCLA Public Relations Officer Ashtyn Cole helped with this article. Local club sponsors are Mrs. Joella Morrow and Mrs. Amy Taylor. Additional information concerning Sepsis is available at sepsis.org.