September is Sepsis Awareness Month, and the Sepsis & Critical Illness Research Center (SCIRC) at the University of Florida is bringing together patients, families, clinicians, researchers, and community partners to raise awareness about sepsis, critical illness, and recovery after the ICU.
Throughout the month, SCIRC will host and participate in several events designed to educate the community, promote early recognition of sepsis, and highlight the importance of specialized care and long-term recovery.
UF World Sepsis Day
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
North Tower Atrium
Join SCIRC and our partners for a morning of sepsis education, outreach, and awareness activities.
We are excited to partner with our colleagues in the UF Health Burn Center, who will share information about the importance of receiving burn care at a specialized burn center. Access to expert wound care can help wounds heal appropriately, reduce complications, and lower the risk of serious infections such as sepsis.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about sepsis warning signs, prevention, current research, and resources available through UF Health.
Sepsis Awareness Fun Run & Walk
Saturday, September 12, 2026
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Depot Park
874 S.E. 4th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Get moving for a cause at the SCIRC Sepsis Awareness Fun Run & Walk.
The morning will include a 5K run and a free community walk, giving participants of all activity levels an opportunity to come together in support of sepsis awareness.
Whether you run, walk, or simply stop by to learn more, we hope you will join us as we spread one important message:
Stop Sepsis. Save Lives.
Walk4PICS Orlando
Saturday, September 26, 2026
8:00 a.m.
Blue Jacket Park, Orlando
SCIRC will also travel to Orlando to participate in Walk4PICS, an event focused on raising awareness about Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and the challenges many patients and families experience after critical illness.
The event is sponsored by the Life After ICU Initiative, ICUDelirium.org, and our colleagues at UCF.
Dr. Philip Efron will participate in the welcome panel, and SCIRC will host an outreach and education table focused on sepsis, critical illness, recovery after the ICU, and Post-Intensive Care Syndrome.
Sepsis Awareness Across Campus
Our outreach will extend well beyond these events.
Throughout September, keep an eye out for sepsis awareness stories and features from UF Health Communications, the UF College of Medicine Office of Research, the Department of Surgery, and SCIRC.
Patient-facing screens across UF Health will also feature a sepsis awareness message and direct patients and visitors to SCIRC resources.
On UF World Sepsis Day, September 9, several UF Health locations will be illuminated in red in recognition of sepsis awareness, including:
- One large and four smaller fountains in Rush Lake at Hotel Eleo
- Three fountains at 1329
- The Garden of Hope fountain at Butler Pond
- P06 Third Floor Terrace
Throughout September, Opus Coffee will also help spread the message by featuring sepsis awareness messaging on its coffee sleeves.
These efforts are designed to bring sepsis education into the everyday spaces where our patients, families, faculty, staff, and community members live, work, and gather.
Why Sepsis Awareness Matters
Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection, and recognizing the warning signs early can make a critical difference. Through research, education, early intervention, and community outreach, SCIRC is working to improve outcomes for patients affected by sepsis and critical illness.
We invite you to join us throughout September, attend an event, share what you learn, and help us raise awareness.
Together, we can Stop Sepsis and Save Lives.