Ilse Malfait

lse Malfait is a mother of three, sepsis survivor, author and patient advocate from Belgium. In May 2020, four days after starting chemotherapy for breast cancer, she developed a bowel perforation that led to septic shock. She spent 487 days in hospital and now lives with lasting damage to her fingers and legs. Determined that her experience could help others, Ilse wrote the book Every Hour Counts, calling for faster recognition and treatment of sepsis. Together with three fellow survivors, she founded Sepsibel, the Belgian patient organisation for people affected by sepsis. Her story featured in a 2023 television documentary on sepsis, which struck a chord nationally and led Belgium's Minister for Health, Frank Vandenbroucke, to commission Prof. Erika Vlieghe to develop a national sepsis plan. In 2026, the Belgian government appointed the country's first national sepsis coordinator. Today, Ilse speaks about patient advocacy, sepsis awareness, and why every hour truly counts.