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Stories & Awareness

About T for Thomas

T for Thomas is a not-for-profit charity that was established of sepsis, after sporty and healthy teenager, Thomas Snell passed from the condition in 2017.

Thomas Snell, affectionately known as 'Snelly', was a beloved member of his local Darwin community and adored by his friends and family. Thomas was a fiercely loyal and kind-hearted boy.

Thomas was in QLD representing the NT in Rugby Union when he became ill with the flu, then pneumonia and sepsis. His health deteriorated very quickly in a matter of 2 days, leading to a harrowing fight for his life over 20 days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Lady Cilento Children's Hospital.

Thomas' death was preventable. Sepsis is a treatable disease with appropriate awareness and healthcare. Simply by knowing the signs of sepsis you may save yours or a loved ones life.

We hope that Thomas' story can empowers others to ask: 'Is it sepsis?'

Thomas's Story

Thomas Snell, or ‘Snelly’ as he was affectionately known, was a popular, bright and mature 13 year old from the Northern Territory. A natural and talented athlete – and winner of many ‘Best and Fairest Awards’ – Thomas played cricket, AFL and rugby union, and could often be found outdoors, fishing, skiing, or bike-riding, or perfecting his cricket bowling skills. He was an animal lover and would spend countless hours with his dogs, pigs and his chickens, Blackie and Oprah.

In late June 2017, Thomas was in Brisbane, representing the Northern Territory in the Queensland Rugby Union Junior State Championships. Several of Thomas’ teammates had contracted the flu, and he became unwell the night before a game. A GP visit determined Thomas was suffering from ‘gastro’. He was sent home with tablets and advised to rest, but his condition quickly deteriorated – his breathing becoming shallow, and his skin discoloured.

Only five hours after seeing the GP, Thomas was taken to Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. He was already in complete organ failure. Thomas spent the next three weeks on a distressing rollercoaster ride in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), being placed on two consecutive ECMO life support machines, and fighting very hard to survive. His lungs were damaged from pneumonia and ongoing infections that had triggered septic shock, and he was facing amputation of his hands and legs. This time was incredibly difficult for Thomas and his family.

Twenty days after being admitted to the ICU, Thomas’ condition had deteriorated even further. Hi parents, together with his medical team, made the devastating decision to turn off his life support. When the time came to turn off his life support machines, Thomas was wheeled outside on his hospital bed and took his last breaths as the sun set. His parents were by his side.

Almost a year after Thomas’ death, his family is still coming to terms with the loss of their son and brother, who they will always remember as loyal and humble, with a contagious laugh and dry sense of humour. The backyard cricket pitch where Thomas spent countless hours is now his resting place, and a special space for his family.

Thomas’ parents, Amanda and Phillip, are passionate about promoting sepsis awareness, so that no other family has to experience the loss they and Thomas’ younger brother now live with. They have established a foundation in memory of Thomas, and are campaigning to raise funds and increase public education about sepsis.

Tracey's Story

In March 2023, Tracey McNee was a healthy, fit and happy 61 year old, working full time and enjoying being a Nana, walking 5km every day. What started with her taking the day off work with flu symptoms, developed into pneumonia, sepsis and septic shock within 24 hours. Tracey was placed into an induced coma for 12 days where she was loaded up with IV antibiotics, blood transfusions, an incision in lung to remove fluid, a tracheostomy and dialysis, along with various machines and other equipment that were keeping her alive. Over a 2 -3 week period the ICU team (as amazing as they were) were continuing to run into various complications, her family & friends were all providing comfort and encouragement in the fight for her life.. she is grateful to her family & friends.

After a total of 67 days in ICU and 55 days on the ward, Tracey was discharged & allowed home. At his point, holding a drink was difficult and she could walk only 9m. She has fought hard for a bit normality i.e. being able make bed, wash up or cook, mornings she is at her strongest after good sleep.

Tracey’s journey now is to recover from Post Sepsis Syndrome which has left her with cognitive impairment, 24/7 oxygen, joint/muscle pain and nerve damage. She hopes in the future to not be so reliant on oxygen during day.

Eighteen months later, Tracey is a Sepsis Survivor coming to terms with her journey. Sepsis is a hideous condition which is time critical, like a stroke or heart attack, it is vital to your survival to get diagnosed quickly and treated with antibiotics. More community awareness is required throughout Australia, both about sepsis but also Post Sepsis Syndrome, a condition that can have lifelong impact on the lives of those that have suffered from sepsis and septic shock.