U.s. congressman Rodney davis proudly representing the 13th district of illinois

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today held a press conference with Tony Galbo and family to discuss Gabby’s Law, federal legislation that would require all U.S. hospitals to adopt, implement, and periodically update using the best evidence-based sepsis protocols. Gabby's Law is named in honor of Gabrielle “Gabby” Galbo, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 5 following an undetected tick bite that developed into sepsis. Gabby was the daughter of Tony and Elizabeth Galbo of Monticello.

“I want to thank Tony and Liz Galbo for their advocacy and efforts in supporting Gabby’s Law,” said Rep. Davis. “No family in America should have to experience what they did. Gabby’s precious life was taken from this Earth far too soon, but we can honor her life by passing this legislation named in her memory. Sepsis is a preventable condition. As one of the leading causes of death, it should be getting our utmost attention. I’m proud to carry Gabby’s Law in Congress on behalf of the Galbo’s and anyone who has suffered from sepsis so we can honor Gabby and save lives.”

From Tony and Elizabeth Galbo, parents of Gabby Galbo:

“At 300,000 plus deaths per year, sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, and is the most expensive condition to treat, costing an estimated 41.5 billion dollars per year. We must do better! Gabby’s Law will mandate all U.S. hospitals to adopt, implement, and periodically update using the best evidence-based sepsis protocols.

“Patients presenting with signs and symptoms must be screened for sepsis with the same urgency as heart attack or stroke patients. For every hour in delayed treatment for sepsis, there is an 8% increase in mortality rate. In fact, every three to four days in the United States we have a 9/11 number of deaths from sepsis. A patient often does not have the luxury of time to guess which hospital has a sepsis protocol or how to properly screen and treat a patient with sepsis. Does hospital A or hospital B have the knowledge to identify sepsis and how to aggressively treat it giving the patient the best chance of survival? With rapid diagnosis and treatment, it is estimated that as many 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented.  

“Sepsis education is important, but Gabby’s Law will fast track all U.S. hospitals to get on the same page and level playing field, to not only identify but to treat it properly. How can only four out of fifty states have mandatory sepsis protocols when it is the leading cause of death in hospitals in this country?

“Our daughter Gabby died needlessly. Her death was preventable. Gabby should have celebrated her fourteenth birthday on July 28^th, 2020. Instead, we mourned her eighth angel anniversary on May 11^th at the cemetery.”

Last month, Rep. Davis introduced Gabby's Law through H.R. 7514, which would require all U.S. hospitals to adopt, implement, and periodically update using the best evidence-based sepsis protocols.