Turning Tragedy Into Purpose
The Spike Out Sepsis Foundation was created in honor of Jalisa Barnes, a Division I volleyball player at the University of Pittsburgh whose life changed forever after developing sepsis. Despite facing life altering challenges that tested her both physically and emotionally, Jalisa’s determination, courage, and resilience became the heartbeat of this foundation.
The Beginning of a Mission
Founded by her family and friends, the organization exists to ensure that no one faces sepsis without awareness, support, or swift medical response. What began as a personal fight for survival has grown into a movement for education, prevention, and community strength.
Our Mission: Awareness, Support, Education
At the Spike Out Sepsis Foundation, our mission is simple but urgent—to raise awareness, educate the public and healthcare professionals, and support families affected by sepsis.
We work through three key pillars:
Awareness
Sharing Jalisa’s story and vital information to help the public recognize sepsis early.
Education
Providing resources, training, and partnerships that empower hospitals, schools, and communities.
Support
Offering guidance, survivor networks, and family resources for those impacted by sepsis.
Our Vision
A world where no one loses life or limb to sepsis due to unawareness or delayed care.
Our Dedicated Leadership
Driving Sepsis Prevention Forward
Our work is led by a dedicated team of family members, healthcare professionals, and advocates who carry Jalisa’s legacy forward every day.
Bartley D. Carey: Co-Founder & Board Director, Spike Out Sepsis Foundation
Bartley Carey is a Marine Corps veteran and serial entrepreneur with a strong background in transportation, logistics, and real estate investment. Guided by discipline, service, and integrity, Bartley has built a career focused on strategic growth and community impact.
As Co-Founder and Board Director of the Spike Out Sepsis Foundation, he brings organizational leadership and vision to advancing the foundation’s mission of raising awareness, inspiring action, and driving education about sepsis. His entrepreneurial mindset and dedication to service continue to shape the foundation’s growth and outreach nationwide.
Keena Barnes, RN, MSN: Co-Founder & Medical Director
Keena Barnes, RN, MSN, NP-C, is the co-founder and Medical Director of the Spike Sepsis Foundation, an organization she created to advance sepsis awareness, education, early recognition, and lifesaving intervention. With more than 27 years of experience in healthcare, Keena brings a powerful combination of advanced clinical expertise, leadership, and lived experience to her work.
She is a Registered Nurse, holds a Master of Science in Nursing, is certified as a Nurse Practitioner, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Nursing. Her clinical background spans acute and advanced care settings, where she has witnessed firsthand the devastating—and often preventable—impact of sepsis on patients and families.
Grounded in evidence-based practice and driven by patient-centered advocacy, Keena’s mission is to close critical gaps in sepsis recognition, response, and education within both healthcare systems and the broader community. Through the Spike Sepsis Foundation, she leads initiatives focused on prevention, early intervention, and empowering patients, caregivers, and clinicians with the knowledge needed to save lives.
Colin Barnes, MBA: Administrative Director
Colin Barnes is a sepsis awareness advocate dedicated to educating communities about the early warning signs and life-threatening impact of sepsis. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University and has his MBA in project management.
As a member of the SpikeOut Sepsis Foundation team, Colin plays a key role in operations, marketing, and organizational management, supporting the foundation’s mission through strategic planning, outreach initiatives, and operational oversight. His work helps ensure that awareness campaigns, partnerships, and day-to-day functions align with the foundation’s life-saving goals.
Driven by a passion for education and advocacy, Colin is committed to expanding public understanding of sepsis, empowering individuals to recognize symptoms early, and strengthening efforts that ultimately save lives.
Jalisa Barnes, MBA: Honorary Ambassador
Jalisa Barnes is the Ambassador for SpikeOut Sepsis Foundation ! A foundation born from resilience, purpose, and the unwavering belief that survival should be followed by education, advocacy, and hope.
A standout athlete in high school, Jalisa was a successful volleyball player whose life revolved around competition, discipline, and teamwork. Volleyball shaped her identity—teaching her perseverance, leadership, and mental toughness—values that would later become critical far beyond the court. Like many young athletes, her future felt limitless, until it was abruptly and unexpectedly changed.
Jalisa encountered sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency that escalated rapidly and nearly cost her life. After fighting for survival, she endured extensive medical complications that ultimately resulted in the loss of her limbs. What followed was not only a physical recovery, but a profound personal transformation. Faced with unimaginable loss, Jalisa made a defining decision: her story would not end in tragedy—it would become a platform for awareness, education, and impact.
Since surviving sepsis, Jalisa has achieved what many consider impossible. She has earned three academic degrees and is currently working toward her doctorate, redefining success on her own terms. Her journey reflects the same grit she once showed on the volleyball court—only now, her arena is advocacy, education, and empowerment.
Through SpikeOut Sepsis, Jalisa honors survivors, educates communities, and amplifies the urgency of early sepsis recognition. Her mission is clear: to ensure that more people understand sepsis, more lives are saved, and no survivor feels alone after the fight. Jalisa’s story is living proof that even after life takes everything, purpose can still be rebuilt—stronger than before.
Make an Impact With Us
Join us in creating lasting change by supporting our comprehensive programs that combine survivor advocacy, medical education, and community outreach. Get involved today.