Northampton uni student who died from sepsis at 30 is commemorated by her sister in Northampton
Former Northampton University student Gina Campanini will be commemorated in Northampton on the second anniversary following her death from sepsis – her sister Maria will mark two years since her sister’s death by running a half marathon in Northampton with her brother and two cousins on Sunday 14th September 2025. This year, Gina’s sister Maria has run a half marathon each month to raise funds for the UK Sepsis Trust.
Gina Campanini, who studied Primary Education at Northampton University from 2011-2014, died from sepsis at just 30 years of age on September 14th 2023, just one day after the annual World Sepsis Day (13th September). A primary teacher who was otherwise in perfect health, Gina developed flu-like symptoms on Monday 4th September 2023 but believed it to be a viral infection. Four days later, with a high temperature and severe fatigue, she saw her GP, who reassured her it was likely viral and advised rest. Her condition deteriorated rapidly overnight. Struggling to breathe, she was taken to hospital and admitted to intensive care. Doctors found that a Strep A infection had reached her heart valve, triggering a chain of complications including viral and bacterial pneumonia that led to sepsis.
Despite intensive treatment, Gina’s health worsened over the following six days. She suffered a stroke as the infection overwhelmed her system, and doctors informed her family that she would not recover. On September 14th, Gina’s family and loved ones faced the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support. Gina’s case highlights the speed and severity with which sepsis can develop, even in otherwise healthy individuals, and underscores the importance of early medical intervention.
Gina’s family and her sister Maria have so far raised £58,756 for The UK Sepsis Trust in Gina’s memory, with Maria running a half marathon every month this year, and the whole family taking on the Three Peaks Challenge in June 2024. Following her run in Northampton on Sunday 14th, Maria will complete a full marathon at home in Rickmansworth on what would have been Gina’s birthday 33rd birthday on the December 7th. Maria is mapping out a route that follows the favourite spots she shared with Gina, including where Gina went to school.
Maria said: “My sister Gina was just such a light in so many peoples’ lives. 300 people attended her funeral and everyone felt loved so deeply by her, all her friends and family, she would just do anything for those people that she loved and she would use any excuse to bring us all together. I think I speak for anyone that has a sister – she is just your best friend: the person that understands you best, loves you most. She gets to know every version of you; sees you grow up, she’s there at the beginning and she should be there at the end. She’s a friend for life. My sister was 30 and at 26, I know that I won’t ever get over this. But I know that grief comes because love came first. I keep telling myself that and every day, I won’t just live for me, but I live for her too. And she’ll be with me always, I’m sure.”
“My running challenge has been a good way to push myself, but also do something good for my body and mind as I grieve the loss of my sister. Together, my family and I have broken personal bests, and pushed ourselves to get fit, spend time outside and support each other on race days. If you’re thinking about signing up for a running event with the UKST – do it for the sense of purpose from all the fundraising that will save lives, and the sense of achievement you’ll feel as you cross that finish line.”
In the UK, five people lose their lives to sepsis every hour. It is a life-threatening condition which arises when the body’s response to infection harms its own tissues and organs. It affects 245,000 people in the UK annually, claiming 48,000 lives. Sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death if not recognised early and treated promptly.
Sepsis always starts with an infection, such as chest infections or UTIs, but it’s unknown why some people develop sepsis in response to these common infections whereas others do not.
UKST has recently called attention to the many sepsis cases in which outcomes could have been improved or lives could have been saved. It’s more important than ever that members of the public feel empowered to act as advocates when their loved ones are unwell, and that healthcare professionals take them seriously
Sepsis is as common as heart attacks in the UK: nearly 80,000 people each year suffer life-changing after-effects in the UK, with 82% of sepsis survivors experiencing ‘Post-Sepsis Syndrome’ more than a year after hospital discharge, and 18% left permanently unable to work.
The UK Sepsis Trust (UKST), founded in 2012 by NHS consultant Dr Ron Daniels BEM, aims to end preventable deaths and improve outcomes for sepsis survivors, striving to raise public awareness and working to support anyone affected by this devastating condition. UKST educates healthcare professionals; raises public awareness levels and lobbies for political change. The charity’s team of trained Support Nurses help people through sepsis recovery and bereavement. UKST aims to protect people by enabling the prevention of severe infection and the treatment of sepsis, whilst also helping to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly.
Dr Ron Daniels BEM, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: “We are incredibly moved by the dedication and commitment of Maria and the Campanini family. Their efforts in honouring Gina’s memory and raising awareness of sepsis are truly inspiring. We extend our heartfelt thanks for their support to date and acknowledge the immense challenges that Maria is undertaking in the coming months. Their support will allow us to continue our vital work, helping our health service save lives and improve outcomes for the thousands of people affected by this condition every year.”
