Jeffrey Modell Foundation and Talecris Biotherapeutics Expand Diagnostic Services for Primary Immunodeficiencies at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital a...( Unrestricted Educational Grant Supp...),Health

Unrestricted Educational Grant Supports Diagnosis and Patient Access to

Care

STANFORD, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) and Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. have donated $150,000 to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford 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. Stanford's program, one of 37 worldwide supported by the JMF, focuses on the diagnosis, care, and treatment of people suffering from PI.

"Early recognition and diagnosis of PI can save lives and improve health outcomes for children," said David B. Lewis, M.D., professor of pediatrics, immunology and transplantation biology. "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 Lewis, who also is director of the Jeffrey Modell Center for Research and Comprehensive Care for Primary Immunodeficiencies at Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

"We are thrilled to support this important work at Packard Children's Hospital, in collaboration with Talecris Biotherapeutics," said Fred Modell, co-founder of the JMF. "Experts estimate that as many as 500,000 cases of PI remain undiagnosed in the United States, and our goal is to give every child a chance to lead a healthy, normal life."

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."

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