10/23/2026
You survived sepsis. You shouldn’t have to fight alone for a place to sleep, food on the table, or a ride to your next appointment. ❤️🩹
For two years, I’ve dreamed of creating something to help close that gap. Three weeks ago, I took the first step: I filed the paperwork to launch Supporting Survivors of Sepsis, Inc. (SSOS)—a grassroots community nonprofit being built by sepsis survivors, for sepsis survivors.
🤝 Our mission: get practical help to survivors when they need it most—after they leave the hospital.
Because “wait” is not an answer when someone is sleeping in their car. When they cannot get to a doctor. When they are overwhelmed, in pain, and trying to rebuild a life they barely recognize.
Our goal is immediate, direct assistance—and the relief of knowing someone understands. Someone who has been there.
SSOS will also help survivors connect with:
🧠 Mental health support.
🥗 Food banks and essential resources.
🏠 Eviction prevention and mortgage forbearance.
🚗 Transportation to medical appointments.
🩺 Doctors familiar with sepsis and its lasting effects.
📝 Assistance navigating disability applications.
🏛️ We will advocate for federal legislation to expedite Social Security Disability decisions for eligible survivors and reduce unnecessary delays and avoidable denials. Recovery is hard enough without having to fight endlessly for support.
📍 We will begin in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, listening to survivors and identifying where help is needed most. Our long-term vision is a network of local SSOS chapters across the country, each one grounded in the needs of its community.
I will continue serving on the Sepsis Alliance advisory board and supporting all its Hill Day initiatives and awareness events, advocacy, and survivor support efforts. I look forward to enjoying opportunities for SSOS to work alongside Sepsis Alliance and other organizations committed to this community.
💙 To Kelli Shaw, Christina Cole, and Kelly Bishop: thank you for joining our board and helping turn this vision into action.
Now, we’re looking for more hands—and more hearts. 🙌
Are you a survivor or caregiver who wants to help shape this effort? A community organization or professional who can connect survivors with practical support? Someone who has built a nonprofit and can share what you’ve learned?
💬 Please comment or message me. Tell me where you’re located and how you’d like to get involved. Tag someone who should be part of this work, or share this post to help us reach them.
No single person or organization can meet every need. Together, we can reach more survivors—and give them somewhere to turn.
🌱 Supporting Survivors of Sepsis: created by survivors, for survivors—to thrive, not just survive.
Shannon Gorder Horton Caitlin Alsop Christine Caron April Catlett Jackie Duda Survivors 4 Sepsis Awareness NZ Survivors 4 Sepsis Awareness NZ
