Seven days of action to call for early diagnosis and optimal care for patients with Primary Immunodeficiency
TORONTO, April 21, 2015 /CNW/ - 22nd-29th of April 2015 - For the fifth consecutive year the Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) community joins forces to celebrate World Primary Immunodeficiency week (WPIW).
Under the slogan Test. Diagnose. Treat, World PI week unites, empowers and engages all global stakeholders in the PI cause. Together patients, nurses, physicians, scientists, allied health professionals, and industry will advocate for testing, optimal care and the best possible treatment – including access to prophylaxis Immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy, antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal medications, bone marrow transplants, or gene therapy where appropriate. Primary Immunodeficiency is a complex disease requiring complex therapies; while classified as rare, PI affects more than six million people worldwide, with no gender, age or geographical boundaries.
Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) occurs in persons with an immune system that is either missing or broken. PI can present in the form of "common" infections, sometimes leading physicians to treat the infections while missing the underlying cause, allowing the illnesses to reoccur, and leaving the patient vulnerable to vital organ damage, physical disability, or even death. There are 10 warning signs everyone should know.
One in 1200 people are suspected to live with Primary Immunodeficiency that significantly affects their health. However lack of awareness means that between 70 to 90% of PI sufferers remain undiagnosed, with early diagnosis, proper care and optimal treatment the disease is manageable and can save patients from lifelong disabilities, and lengthy hospital visits offering them all the opportunity to live full and rewarding lives.
This year for WPIW, we will address this awareness deficit with walkathons, community initiatives, social media outreach, and lectures in schools, hospital symposia and media events including a global balloon launch in which balloons are released simultaneously, to drive awareness of PI. This year will be the biggest lift off yet – over 110 locations around the world, including Immunodeficiency Canada's on April 22 at 415 Yonge Street, Toronto at 7:30 pm.
SOURCE Immunodeficiency Canada
Image with caption: "Immunodeficiency Canada (CNW Group/Immunodeficiency Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150421_C6713_PHOTO_EN_14564.jpg
For more information on World PI Week: www.worldpiweek.org; For Canadian Resources: Immunodeficiency Canada, www.immunodeficiency.ca, Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization, www.cipo.ca; International Press Contacts: Sara Martin, Adeline Prieur, World PI Week Project Coordinators, Rue du Luxembourg 22-24, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, [email protected], +32 2 213 1398
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