With advances in modern medicine, approximately 70 percent of these individuals survive2, with severity of illness and other individual factors playing a role in long-term outcomes. Of those who survive their critical illness, many experience Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)—a collection of new or worsening impairments in the cognitive, physical, or mental health realm3.
Many survivors experience striking impairments that present challenges to multiple facets of their lives.
Many children are impacted by Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Pediatrics (PICS-p), and their journeys to recovery and healing can be equally challenging. Family members and caregivers also shoulder the hardship of PICS, with some loved ones experiencing PICS-Family. Common symptoms of PICS-Family include anxiety, depression and PTSD4.
Walk4PICS Kids
Walk for PICS was established in 2023 by the Vanderbilt ICU Recovery Center, with a goal to raise awareness of PICS among medical providers, mental health practitioners, and the public. There are countless ICU survivors who spend months, and even years, seeking answers to why they are changed, sometimes permanently, after critical illness.
As part of our efforts, we have organized a simple walk of any number of miles to challenge our bodies while raising awareness of this complicated syndrome. Individuals can walk anywhere in the U.S., either on their own or with loved ones. It is our desire that every ICU survivor living with PICS knows they are not alone and that there is hope and support for their journey.
