A KELTY mum has lost her life to Sepsis and her family want people to know about the dangers of the condition.

Emily Ireland (Wilson) who was only 59 years-old passed away on January 7, but despite the horrific pain, her family have come together to raise awareness of Sepsis - a rare but serious condition. 

Emily's daughter Donna McFarlane told the Times: "We cannot help but think about how mum was seen by doctors and nurses and no-one spotted the signs. There is not enough knowledge out there on Sepsis. 

"It is so crucial to spot the signs within the first “Golden Hour” as medical evidence has shown that the risk of death is halved and survival rates are more than 80%.

"A small hole in her bowel was found when she was admitted to hospital, but she was so sick doctors said she wouldn't survive the operation.

"The only option was to treat her with antibiotics but she rapidly deteriorated and in her final moments surrounded by her family and friends, me and my brother held mum's hand and spoke words of comfort to her.

"I stroked her head until she passed and told her to go and be with our uncle Billy."

Sepsis can look like self-limiting infections such as flu or chest infections. Emily's journey with Sepsis began in 2013 when she contracted it whilst being in Hospital. 

Donna continued: "On New Year’s Eve we received a telephone call from doctors informing us to make our way to the hospital as mum had deteriorated for the worse. 

"She was being transferred to intensive care. She became so sick that we were told to prepare ourselves for the worst. 

"The doctor was not sure whether to put her on life support but we begged them to persist and give her a fighting chance. 

"Mum ended up making a full recovery and she looked fab."

Over the next three years Emily, an identical twin, became less reliant on doctors but became unwell again last month. 

"She was shaky and had shortness of breath", said Donna. "A doctor gave antibiotics for a urine and chest infection on January 4, but one day later her breathing was becoming even more shorter and she had hardly passed any urine, so my brother telephoned for a doctor”.

"Later that evening doctors said there was still no sign of improvement and when we noticed her heart rate slowly dropping at 11.15pm, we knew then that our mum wasn't going to win this battle”.

Emily’s daughter and son describe their Mum as having a heart of gold and will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Donna added: "My mum's family were well known in the community, with a family of 11! When she and her twin sister, Jeanie, were younger they were right tom boys and we're always getting in trouble!"

To raise awareness of this horrible infection Emily's family are hosting a charity disco and raffle at the Kelty Club on April 1, funds will go to FEAT (Fiona Elizabeth Agnew Trust). 

The charity is trying to develop new approaches to stop Sepsis including have trained dedicated A&E teams. 

So far £482 has been raised for the charity. You can pick up your tickets at the Kelty Club or by emailing Donna, donnaw0309@gmail.com