Lauren Abraham never expected to be going into hospital on the morning of December 25th feeling like she was going to die, separated from her little boy who had to spend Christmas Day without her.

After helping out with her son’s end of term Christmas party, Lauren noticed a strange feeling in her throat, but didn’t think much of it at the time.

She would later be diagnosed with Group A streptococcus and double pneumonia, and was told that these had developed into sepsis.

She spent Christmas critically ill in ICU, and has been on a long recovery journey since.

UKST’s support services have helped Lauren come to terms with her traumatic experience: “I joined a Facebook support group which I found very helpful in my recovery. I read loads of stories on the website. It was really helpful for me to read that. I’ve also spoken to the Sepsis Trust nurses, I’ve spoken to Emma, and she was fantastic.”

This Christmas, your support can help families like Lauren’s.