Immune Deficiency Foundation

09/05/2026

For many teens and tweens living with immune deficiency, day-to-day life can mean isolation—managing a condition few peers understand, without the built-in community other kids have.

The 2025 Teen & Tween Escape in Cincinnati gave them something different: a weekend just to be kids among others who understood without needing it explained. Our last event drew our largest attendance ever—152 attendees, including 43 families and 53 teens and tweens.

📍 Mark your calendar: the next Teen & Tween Escape is happening August 6–8, 2027, in Jacksonville, FL.

09/04/2026

Back to school means back to germs. If your child is the one who catches everything that goes around—every cold, every virus, every bug—it's worth asking why.

While some illnesses are normal, frequent serious infections (4+ per year requiring antibiotics) can be a sign of primary immunodeficiency (PI). Most kids with PI go years without diagnosis because parents are told 'they'll grow out of it.'

Our free 10-minute assessment helps you understand if your child's immune system needs attention. Knowledge empowers better conversations with your pediatrician.

Take the assessment: https://bit.ly/4xmdvh7

09/03/2026

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory about the risk of severe neurological disease and death from arboviruses in people being treated with B cell-targeted therapies.

These therapies include many biologics used to treat blood cancers and autoimmune diseases, and to prevent rejection in people post-transplant.

Arboviruses are transmitted by mosquitos and ticks. West Nile virus is the most common one in the U.S.

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito and tick bites. Get medical care right away if you have concerning symptoms, such as long-lasting headaches, fever, body aches, weakness, loss of balance, or confusion

For more information, check out CDC's health advisory: https://bit.ly/4zIoenq.

09/02/2026

✏️ 🛒 Did you know that your back-to-school shopping list can be an opportunity to support the Immune Deficiency Foundation? Through Walmart's Spark Good program, you can round up your purchase and donate the spare change towards our mission. Learn how you can get started and shop with a purpose today: https://bit.ly/4xauy5E

09/01/2026

People who are deserve to be able to move within their communities, including working in person and attending public school, without fearing for their lives. Read the statement from the Immunocompromised Collaborative (, , , Immune Deficiency Foundation, , ): https://bit.ly/4zPR0Th

We urge the administration to consider the rights of all people, including those who are immunocompromised or cannot be safely vaccinated, and rescind this dangerous executive order.

08/31/2026

During the August congressional recess, our advocates have visited national leaders in their home states to discuss issues of tremendous importance to our community: Issues like Medicare, vaccines, and access to life-saving treatment.

Want to help? Sign up for Action Alerts! When policymakers need to hear the PI community’s perspective, you will receive an Action Alert by email to customize and send to your representatives. Sign up now: https://bit.ly/3SUL6j5

08/28/2026

Know before you go! The Immune Deficiency Foundation is excited to launch the first walk of the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—right at the Milwaukee County Zoo! 🦁

Come walk with us, connect with the PI community, and help us kick off a season of hope and progress.

📍 Full event details: https://bit.ly/4pzuIQM

Not in Milwaukee? No problem. You can browse more walk locations on our website and find your community.

08/25/2026

Courtney Ampezzan, diagnosed with a rare primary immunodeficiency (PI) called WHIM syndrome, developed cancer two years ago and chose to undergo a bone marrow transplant (BMT) as treatment. Less than a year after her BMT, Courtney is recovering well and organizing a team for the 2026 Walk for PI in Boston. https://bit.ly/4c547Wx

Courtney Ampezzan, diagnosed with warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome, chose to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

08/24/2026

🎙️New Episode Alert

What does global plasma supply have to do with primary immunodeficiency? Everything.

We sat down with Peter Jaworski, professor of ethics at Georgetown University, who has spent years untangling the myths and misconceptions that get in the way of a strong, reliable plasma collection system—the very system that makes life-saving treatments possible for the PI community.

🎧 Tune in now
https://bit.ly/4hLg7jG

Georgetown ethicist Peter Jaworski discusses the global plasma shortage and myths surrounding plasma donation.

08/19/2026

📚 "The Immune Deficiency Foundation website has provided me with excellent resources." Our website is the favorite resource of community member Courtney. What makes it so helpful? Our website is a 24/7 resource hub. It's a place where community members can learn, connect, register for events like Walk & Community Days, and find answers anytime, anywhere. Visit our website now: https://bit.ly/4fqCxnA