In the tragic aftermath of Kyle Busch’s death from sepsis, President Donald Trump received a letter from the parents of a young boy who died from the same cause.
“Rory was just 12 years old when he died from undiagnosed sepsis after what began as a simple cut while playing basketball,” Orlaith and Ciaran Staunton wrote to Trump, 79, about their late son, who died in April 2012. “Despite showing classic warning signs, his condition was not recognized in time. His death was preventable.”
Busch died on May 21 at the age of 41 after contracting pneumonia, which progressed into sepsis, a life-threatening and extreme response to an infection that can lead to multiple organ failure.
The Stauntons called Busch’s death “yet another painful reminder that sepsis does not discriminate.”
“It can strike the young and old, the vulnerable and the strong, ordinary Americans and world-famous athletes alike,” they explained. “It moves fast, often hiding in plain sight, and when warning signs are missed or treatment is delayed, the consequences are devastating. And yet, despite being one of the leading causes of death in the United States, sepsis still does not receive the national attention it deserves.”
Through their work with the End Sepsis organization, the Stauntons said “Congress and federal agencies have begun investing more resources into sepsis surveillance, hospital quality measures, early detection programs, and public health preparedness.”
“Those investments are important, but far more leadership is needed if we are to truly confront this crisis,” they added.
Rory’s parents called on Trump to champion “a major national sepsis awareness and education initiative — aimed at hospitals, healthcare workers, parents, schools, sports organizations, and the public.”
In doing so, they argued the president could “save countless lives.”
“That could become one of the defining public health achievements of your presidency,” the Stauntons urged. “Sepsis is a killer hiding in plain sight. But it is also a crisis where education, urgency, and leadership can make the difference between life and death.
The letter concluded, “Mr. President, America needs leadership on sepsis now more than ever. This is your opportunity to make a difference for millions of Americans.”
In a death certificate exclusively obtained by Us Weekly last month, it was revealed that Busch’s sepsis led to disseminated intravascular coagulation, or small clots that form in the bloodstream and block blood flow to the organs. Busch then suffered hemorrhagic shock, which is caused by severe internal or external blood loss.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and the couple’s two children: son Brexton, 11, and daughter, Lennix, 4.
