May 10 was a beautiful and moving day in Wohlen, Switzerland. The kart track came alive with the energy of 50 children and hundreds of attendees during the Trofeo Elia Epifanio – a charitable racing event held in memory of Elia Epifanio, a promising young Swiss karting talent who tragically passed away from sepsis two years ago.
This was the second race organized by Elia’s parents, Jennifer and Daniele Epifanio, who have turned their grief into hope, remembrance, and an inspiring advocacy effort. The event raised CHF 11,600 to support the Swiss Sepsis Program at the Children’s Hospital Zurich (KISPI).
Friends and family from across Switzerland and Italy, and renowned race car drivers and journalists, came together to support the Epifanio family and their cause.
Dr. Mariam Jashi, CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA), attended the event alongside her esteemed colleague, Dr. Nora Lüthi, Medical Program Manager of the Swiss Sepsis Program, which was initiated under the leadership of Prof. Luregn Schlapbach, Professor of Pediatric Intensive Care at the University of Zurich and an internationally recognized scholar in pediatric sepsis.
On behalf of the Global Sepsis Alliance, Dr. Jashi extended her deepest gratitude and admiration to the Epifanio family for turning their immense loss into an example of humanity and compassion. Through Elia’s Trophy, Daniele and Jennifer are now fighting to protect thousands of other children from sepsis.
While addressing the audience, GSA’s CEO highlighted the shocking burden of sepsis and the urgency of action. Sepsis affects nearly 50 million people, yet we do not hear about it in the media or political debates. We must change this reality, and each of us has a role to play. We must raise awareness and ensure that every member of society understands the threat of sepsis, knows how to recognize it early, and knows how to act. We must ensure that when a child or adult arrives at a primary healthcare facility or hospital, every general practitioner, pediatrician, infectious disease specialist, emergency medical team member, or intensivist is fully equipped to provide timely and life-saving care.
Dr. Jashi, as a former Member of Parliament and Deputy Health Minister of Georgia, pledged to mobilize Swiss and global political leaders and World Health Organization (WHO) officials for future Trofeo events, as Elia’s story should be known to policymakers and decision-makers.
May 10 in Wohlen was indeed a beautiful and unforgettable day. But this day should not have happened. What happened to Elia and his family should not be allowed to happen again, not in Switzerland, not in any other country.
Looking at Elia’s photos and hearing his story leaves no one untouched. How can we continue to lose bright and brilliant lives like Elia’s because we failed to educate our societies – and even many healthcare professionals – on how to recognize and treat one of the leading causes of death worldwide?
Trofeo Elia Epifanio is a celebration of Elia’s life and his love for motorsport and a true drive to save lives. In transforming their unimaginable loss into action, Jennifer and Daniele Epifanio are protecting thousands of other families from experiencing the same pain.
The Global Sepsis Alliance extends our sincerest admiration to the Epifanio family and stands ready to help ensure that the impact of Trofeo Elia Epifanio reaches even greater heights.
