For many, February is the month of love, with St. Valentine’s sitting squarely in the middle of it. And believe us when we tell you… there is a LOT to love about the news we have to share with you now. In fact, it’s hard to know where to start!
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, named as new Patron of Sepsis Trust NZ
We are honoured to announce the appointment of Former Prime Minister and
one of New Zealand’s most respected global public health leaders, Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, as our new Patron.
Her appointment brings an unparalleled depth of global leadership and public health experience to the role, signalling to government, clinicians, funders and the public that sepsis is a serious, system-level health priority worthy of national and international attention.
As former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, Helen Clark has spent decades advancing health equity, strengthening health systems, and championing prevention and early intervention worldwide.
During her tenure at UNDP, Helen Clark oversaw programmes addressing maternal and newborn health, communicable diseases, and health system resilience in low- and middle-income countries, all areas in which sepsis is a major but often under-recognised contributor to mortality. Her leadership on pandemic preparedness has also highlighted the critical importance of early detection, coordinated response, and public awareness, principles central to effective sepsis prevention and treatment.
Helen Clark says she was pleased to take on the role and support the Trust’s work.
“Sepsis is a major cause of avoidable death and disability, yet it remains poorly understood by the public and too often recognised too late."
“Improving awareness, strengthening health system responses, and addressing inequities in outcomes are essential.
“I am delighted to support Sepsis Trust NZ in its efforts to save lives and improve care,” she says.
