Protect your family…get your flu shot

Immunodeficiency Canada endorses Health Canada recommendation to get a flu shot

Getting the flu shot is your best defense against the flu. It is a safe and effective way to protect you and those around you, and helps to avoid doctor’s visits and unnecessary testing for COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic.

It’s important to note that the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19 – you should still wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain physical distancing from others.

Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Get your flu shot!

Where to get your flu shot

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Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information

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COVID-19 vaccines are needed for children

With children going back to school shortly, it’s even more important to protect them from COVID-19.

https://lymphosign.com/doi/10.14785/lymphosign-2021-0025

COVID-19 post-vaccination recommendations for primary immunodeficiency

Individuals with PID should continue to maintain protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection, even after COVID-19 vaccination. Find out more here:

https://lymphosign.com/doi/10.14785/lymphosign-2021-0023

COVID-19 vaccination and primary immunodeficiency

Read about how the COVID-19 vaccine works with the immune system to protect you against infection.

https://lymphosign.com/doi/full/10.14785/lymphosign-2020-0020

Managing primary immunodeficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this commentary by Dr. Chaim Roifman (Chairman, Immunodeficiency Canada), learn about the precautions you can take if you or a family member have primary immunodeficiency.

https://lymphosign.com/doi/full/10.14785/lymphosign-2020-0009

Government of Canada COVID-19 Vaccination information

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/recommendations-use-covid-19-vaccines.html

Government of Canada COVID-19 information

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Canadian Blood Services – convalescent plasma

https://www.blood.ca/en/convalescentplasma

Immune Deficiency Foundation COVID-19 Video Updates

July 2020: https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-video-update-vaccines

May 2020: https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-update-video-may-29-2020

March 2020: https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-video-update-march-10

Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy Guidelines

Immunodeficiency Canada assembled a team of Immunologists from across Canada’s diagnosis and treatment centers to develop guidelines for Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy. With their experience and knowledge this team produced guidelines published in Lymphosign Journal, September 2017.  It is now the standard for diagnostic and treatment centres of Primary Immunodeficiency across Canada.

“Immunodeficiency Canada has a direct impact in the care and treatment of patients with Primary Immunodeficiency.  Through our network of Immunologists, we brought the expertise together to provide the best treatments for patients based on science.” 

National Immunoglobulin Replacement Expert Committee Guidelines

LymphoSign Journal

The official journal of Immunodeficiency Canada. LymphoSign Journal publishes novel clinical, translational, and basic research in the fields of immunology, gastroenterology, neurology, dermatology, rheumatology, hematology, and infectious disease. The aim of the journal is to provide a forum for clinicians and scientists to discuss clinical observations, therapies, and insights into underlying disease mechanisms in immune disorders including immune deficiencies, auto-inflammatory disorders, allergy, bone marrow failure, and lymphoid malignancies. Special consideration will be given, but is not limited to, articles exploring adaptive and innate immunity, mucosal immunity, signal transduction, lymphocyte development and cell death, genomic medicine, gene regulation, DNA repair, and cell cytoskeletal networks. LymphoSign Journal publishes peer-reviewed original research articles, reviews, clinical trials, case reports, novel mutations, and imaging, as well as practice guidelines, algorithms, and protocols. www.lymphosign.com

7th Annual sCID Symposium

Immunodeficiency Canada’s 7th sCID Satellite Symposium took place on October 24th in Montreal, Quebec at the annual CSACI scientific meeting.

Awards Presentation to Abstract Winners

From Left to Right: Jean Jacques de Bruycker, Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, 3rd Place Abstract Winner, Shama Sud, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON., 1st Place Abstract Winner, Ori Scott, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON., Joint 2nd Place Abstract Winner, Alanna Chomyn, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC., Keelia Farrell, IWK Health Center, Halifax, NS., and Reza Alizadehfar, McGill University, Montreal, QC.

Senior Scientist Presenters

Do Something The Jeffrey Modell Story Webinar

“Do Something The Jeffrey Modell Story” follows young parents Fred and Vicki Modell who son, Jeffrey was diagnosed with a rare disease that leaves him frequently sick and perilously susceptible to even the most common cold. Jeffrey ultimately succumbs to his illness at the age of 15. Out of their devastating loss, Fred and Vicki turn to their enduring love for each other to find the strength to fulfill their promise to Jeffrey and they resolve to ‘do something.’

On August 14, 2019, Immunodeficiency Canada is presenting the documentary in a webinar national wide. To join the viewing party, sign up at
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2799836391774360331

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Congratulations to the entire Immunodeficiency Canada Scotiabank team for a great year. On Sunday, October 20, with the sun was shining, the team walked and ran through the streets of downtown Toronto, helping raise awareness to PI. Thank you to our amazing team for raising over $8500.

Thank you to all our donors that supported our team.

The #PIechallenge

Join the #PIechallenge to raise awareness of PI (Primary Immunodeficiency).

PIechallenge

Bake a homemade pie, post a photo on social media with the tag #PIechallenge and challenge friends to do the same. Be creative with your pies. The best 3 pictures will be judged through social media and awarded prizes! You have until March 14 to enter the contest.

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Lastly, for every pie baked, Donate $5 for a good cause.

Prizes for the best pies…

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Making a Difference!

An interview with Wendy Shama

By Dana Ewachow

Wendy Shama
Wendy Shama

I met with Wendy Shama at the Zavida Coffee right across from Immunodeficiency Canada’s downtown office. That day, she had to push back the time of the meeting by an hour. During the hour we spoke together, she received two calls. She is unmistakably busy, juggling her social work at SickKids and her involvement with Immunodeficiency Canada. She manages a multitude of demands, and she does them successfully. This year, she received the Dr. Beverly Antle Legacy of Hope Award. The award is presented to an outstanding social worker who through the integration of clinical practice, teaching, and research has made a difference in the lives of children and their families. The award is given out every two years.

Shama has worked at SickKids for 22 years, specializing in the Leukemia/Lymphoma population in addition to the Immunology families whose children are undergoing a bone marrow transplant. There are fewer families with children who have Immunodeficienciesis than children with Leukemia/Lymphoma, but Shama still devotes an incredible amount of time and focus on them.

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World PI Week: April 22-29, 2019 Raising Awareness, Diagnosis and Treatment of PI

Each year, World PI Week, held the last week of April, is a global campaign which aims to raise awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment of Primary Immunodeficiency (PI). Explore the website to learn how you can make a difference and ultimately improve the quality of life of people with PI world-wide.

Join the global movement, learn, educate and share #MyPIStory on our social media or email it to us at contactus@immunodeficiency.ca

You can learn PI factssign the awareness petition or download resourceswww.worldpiweek.org

The problem with “Everything, Everything”

How Nicola Yoon’s YA Novel Misrepresents Primary Immunodeficiency

An editorial by: Dana Ewachow

In early September, I heard about a new Young Adult novel that had a main character with SCID (Severe Combined Immune Defiency). As an employee of Immunodeficiency Canada, I was excited. Primary immunodeficiencies are rarely presented in the media, beyond the occasional news piece, so finding a book that was predicted to grace the best-seller list felt like a step in the right direction. Nicola Yoon’s “Everything, Everything” was advertised to be the next big hit, with expectations of a movie deal (http://www.mtv.com/news/2261250/nicola-yoon-interview/). It was compared to John Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars”, a love story mixed with the obstacles of disease, and was expected to have the same success.

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Help a family cope with a child in hospital

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A diagnosis of Primary Immunodeficiency can throw a family into financial crisis. A parent may have to stop work, there is travel back and forth to many medical appointments and the child and guardian may have to go to a major city for treatment. Additional costs for some medications, medical equipment, travel, accommodation, parking, meals, all creates a strain when the families energy should be on their child getting better. You can make a donation to help a family in crisis near you.

Help a family with a child in hospital

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Ways To Cope – Matt’s Interview

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Matt surrounded by family & friends

I walk into the ward at Sick Kids Hospital, and with the help of two patient nurses, I’m directed to the room I’ve been looking for. The room is spacious and lined with lounge chairs. Each chair is occupied by a child with their own IV, reading books and watching shows on portable devices, prepared for the long wait. Matt is in his own chair, with an IV tube in his arm. His mother, Sally, is sitting beside him. She waves me over.

Matt only started doing IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy last May. He gets IVIG therapy every four weeks, thirteen times a year, travelling from his home in Barrie to the hospital in downtown Toronto. “We leave at quarter to seven in the morning,” Sally tells me, “and get back at quarter to seven at night.” 

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Partners in Awareness

Immunodeficiency Canada is working to spread awareness, help find cures and support those who suffer from Primary Immunodeficiency as well as their families. As part of our Partner in Awareness program we are asking for your help to raise awareness and raise money to support educational programs.

Participation in Partners in Awareness could take many forms. At the most basic level we would like to add your contact information to our database, and ask that you join or link to us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and sign up for our newsletter. Your organization may also:

  • Disseminate our 10 Warning Signs to colleagues or customers
  • Hold an awareness day
  • Host a fundraising event
  • Donate directly to help us do our work

We can provide speakers to help with events and also provide exposure on our website, social media and newsletter before, during and after your organization’s involvement.

Wouldn’t it feel great to know that your organization’s involvement could help someone with a Primary Immunodeficiency.

Partners in Awareness Package

Email us at contactus@immunodeficiency.ca  and say my organization wants to get involved.

Ciao Bella Dance Studio

Presented Casino Night Feb 6th, 2016

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Immunodeficiency Canada was honoured to have the support of Ciao Bella Dance Studio through a Casino Night that took place in Woodbridge, Ontario, February 6th, 2016. Special thanks goes out to the organizing committee.

Baden’s Klein Cup

Baden's Cup Banner

Held August 26, 2015, Guelph, Ontario

The game started at 4:00 with the women’s team followed by Baden’s official kick off at 6:00 pm and the men’s team at 6:15 pm. Guelph Gryphons VS Ryerson Rams

Raffles and a barbeque fundraiser were hosted by the Klein Family. Exhibition game organized by Keith Mason, Head Coach, men’s team University of Guelph, www.gryphons.ca

To see raffle sponsors and read more about Baden

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Seasons Greetings

2015 Holiday Artwork for social media

As we come to the close of another year at Immunodeficiency Canada, we are thankful for the love and support shared with us to help us provide patient support, education and research for a cure for Primary Immunodeficiency.

We sincerely thank the individuals, groups, companies, volunteers, and you that have allowed us to saves lives through newborn screening in Ontario (10 infants diagnosed and treated) improve treatments for all by getting individuals diagnosed and connected to an Immunologists ,and building a strong PI community across Canada

Wishing you a most happy, safe, holiday season!

 Richard Thompson,Chief Executive Officer