The Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) and Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. have donated $150,000 to Children’s Hospital Boston, the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, to expand clinical care and outreach for children with primary immunodeficiency (PI), the two organizations announced today.
PI is a term that encompasses more than 150 diseases caused by an immune system that does not function properly. The program at Children’s Hospital Boston, one of 39 worldwide supported by the JMF, focuses on the diagnosis, care and treatment of those suffering from PI.
“Early recognition and diagnosis of PI can save lives and improve health outcomes for children,” said Raif Geha, M.D., Chief of the Division of Immunology at Children’s Hospital Boston and James Gamble Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. “The educational and diagnostic programs made possible through this support will improve care for patients with PI, and will also generate cutting edge research opportunities,” said Dr. Geha, who is also director of the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies at Children’s Hospital Boston.
“It is especially gratifying that this diagnostic and research center, together with today’s dedication of the Jeffrey Modell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Immunology Research and the establishment of the newly constructed Jeffrey Modell Immunology Center at Harvard Medical School, creates an infrastructure in immunology that is second to none in the world,” said Fred Modell, co-founder of the JMF. “Talecris’ generous contribution for this diagnostic and research center is in addition to the previously committed $1,000,000 toward support of the Jeffrey Modell Immunology Center at Harvard Medical School. This is a tremendous commitment by Talecris.”
Vicki Modell, co-founder of the JMF, noted that “a large, undiagnosed population of children and young adults continues to suffer from these diseases, which keep them from enjoying a full life. For example, they often miss 30 or 40 days of school every year. Their illness interrupts their activities, detours their plans and shatters their dreams.”
PI affects males and females of all ages, but the most severe forms are frequently detected in childhood. PI often can present in the form of common illnesses such as sinus infections, pneumonia, ear infections and bronchitis. For this reason, families and doctors are often unaware that the troubling conditions that they are dealing with are actually rooted in a defect in the immune system, and may treat the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. Failure to diagnose and treat PI can lead to serious chronic illness, permanent organ damage or even death.
“The JMF’s unwavering dedication to the early diagnosis and treatment of PI is evident through its many very successful endeavors, the most recent being the expansion of diagnostic services and outreach at Children’s Hospital Boston,” said Larry Stern, chairman and CEO of Talecris Biotherapeutics. “Talecris’ collaboration with the JMF and Children’s Hospital Boston demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of those with PI.”
Talecris and the JMF are long-standing partners in the effort to raise awareness and increase diagnosis of PI globally. In addition to establishing diagnostic centers around the world, Talecris and the JMF have collaborated on programs to raise PI awareness in the U.S. and Europe.
About Jeffrey Modell Foundation
The Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) was established in 1987 by Vicki and Fred Modell in memory of their son, Jeffrey, who died at the age of 15 of a PI disease. The Foundation is dedicated to early and precise diagnosis, meaningful treatments, and ultimately cures of PI. Today there are 39 Jeffrey Modell Research and Diagnostic Centers and more than 200 Referral Centers worldwide. The Jeffrey Modell Immunology Center at Harvard Medical School was dedicated in November 2007, and serves as a unique graduate facility for the study of immunology. More information about PI can be found at www.info4pi.org, or by contacting the JMF at (212) 819-0200 or [email protected].
About Talecris
Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology and hemostasis. Talecris is proudly building upon a 60-year legacy of innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of people who rely on its therapeutic products. With an emphasis on scientific inquiry and technological excellence, Talecris is expanding its current portfolio of products, programs, and services through its own world-class product development organization as well as through strategic initiatives that leverage its strengths with those of its partners.
Talecris, with revenues of approximately $1.2 billion in 2007, is headquartered in biotech hub Research Triangle Park, N.C., and employs more than 4,500 talented people worldwide. To learn more about Talecris and how its employees are making a difference in the lives of patients and the healthcare community, visit www.talecris.com.
About Children’s Hospital Boston
Children’s Hospital Boston is home to the world’s largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children’s research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children’s Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children’s also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital and its research visit: www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.
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