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ABC
TV Program 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Helps Family
Coping with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease
The Cerdas are Active Volunteers for the Immune Deficiency Foundation
LAS VEGAS and TOWSON, Md., May 5, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Devastated by medical bills and a mold-ridden home that threatened their
lives, Terri Cerda and her two young daughters, all three of whom are
diagnosed with Combined Immune Deficiency Disease (CIDD), will be featured
on the May 10 episode of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." CIDD is one
of the most severe types of the more than 150 different primary
immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD). In the U.S., there are approximately
250,000 people diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency disease and thousands
more go undetected.
Because of her active role as a volunteer and advocate for the Immune
Deficiency Foundation (IDF), a national patient organization dedicated to
improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of persons with
primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education, and research,
and her family's struggle with a severe form of PIDD, IDF will be featured
on ABC's "A Better Community" Website in association with the Cerda Family
episode. "A Better Community" will let viewers know how they can support IDF
and make a difference in the lives of families who are affected by PIDD.
"I'm honored that our family was chosen to be on Extreme Makeover: Home
Edition," said Cerda, who in addition to serving as teacher and caregiver
for her two homebound daughters, is also founder of two nonprofit
organizations: "Artful Hearts," which creates murals for organizations,
clinics and foundations that operate to support other children fighting life
threatening medical conditions, and the "National Homebound Children's
Education Foundation," which brings together and advocates for families and
children that are unable to attend school long term because of medical
issues such as immune related disorders. "This new home allows my girls to
play and just enjoy being kids! We're very thankful for the joys and relief
this new home has brought us, as well as the opportunity to share our story,
and by doing so, build greater awareness of primary immunodeficiency
diseases and the challenges we face."
The Cerda family was chosen because of their personal, financial and
health-related difficulties resulting from having PIDD, but also because of
their incredible volunteer work for IDF and for families in need, both in
their local community and around the country.
"Terri has been a tireless advocate for her family and others living with
their illness, and she and her family deserve this happiness," said Marcia
Boyle, founder and president of the Immune Deficiency Foundation. "We are
grateful to the volunteers for their help, and to 'Extreme Makeover: Home
Edition' for giving the Cerda family greater hope, and the opportunity to
highlight and bring greater awareness and understanding to their illness and
our Foundation."
Primary immunodeficiency diseases occur in patients born with an immune
system that is either absent or poorly functioning. There are over 150
different types of PIDD, all caused by genetic or intrinsic defects. People
with PIDD live their entire lives more susceptible to infections--enduring
recurrent health problems and often developing serious and debilitating
illnesses. With early diagnosis and appropriate therapies, many patients can
live healthy and productive lives. Although some PIDD manifest in infancy or
early childhood, some forms can occur in any decade of life.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases were a recent topic on Capitol Hill in
Washington, D.C., where Representatives Israel (D-NY), Brady (R-TX) and
Schwartz (D-PA), and Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Alexander (R-TN), introduced
the Medicare Patient IVIG Access Act of 2009 (H.R. 2002 and S. 701
respectively) - meant to remedy inadequate Medicare reimbursements for
intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and allow home infusion of IVIG for
Medicare beneficiaries with PIDD. IVIG is a life-saving and life-enhancing
therapy for tens of thousands of patients with primary immunodeficiency
diseases, including Terri Cerda and her daughters. As a result of very high
co-pay costs and inadequate reimbursement by Medicare, Cerda has not been
able to receive her bimonthly infusions of IVIG for over five months,
leaving her to constantly live in fear of an infection that could hinder her
ability to care for her daughters
"Much like the Cerda family's home makeover, we need an extreme makeover
of policies in Washington that are blocking patient access to IVIG," added
Boyle.
About the Immune Deficiency Foundation
The Immune Deficiency Foundation is the national patient organization
dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of
persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education,
and research. To learn more about IDF, visit www.primaryimmune.org.
About "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,"
now in its 6th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol
Holding. It's executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is
Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m.,
ET on ABC.
Source: Immune Deficiency Foundation
CONTACT: Heather Cable, +1-202-585-2765,
hcable@powelltate.com, for
Immune Deficiency Foundation
Web Site:
http://www.primaryimmune.org/ |