One Balloon, One Life Saved… Raising Awareness for Primary Immunodeficiency

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Apr 21, 2017, 09:00 ET

NEW YORK, April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jeffrey Modell Foundation, a global non-profit, is hosting a Virtual Balloon Launch, a short animated film, on their social media platforms in celebration of World Primary Immunodeficiency Week (WPIW), April 22^nd through April 29^th. Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) is a genetic defect of the immune system that affects at least 1 in 500 people, mostly children, and is chronic, serious and often fatal, if not diagnosed and treated early.

One Balloon, One Life Saved...Raising Awareness for Primary Immunodeficiency

The film opens with "If releasing one balloon can help save a life… Imagine what one million can do…" a sentiment that focuses on the power and momentum of a worldwide grassroots movement.

"Let's raise the balloons together, as one strong voice to affirm our dedication, passion, and commitment to our mission… to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and advocate for equal access to treatment of PI worldwide. One balloon… one life saved. All we're asking is for people to share and help create awareness" said Vicki Modell, Co-Founder.

WPIW is celebrated to create dialogue and stimulate efforts and initiatives to improve recognition and quality of life for people with PI worldwide. Previously, JMF has hosted a simultaneous launch of thousands of specially designed balloons throughout the United States and around the world, but due to overwhelming demand, the Foundation decided that a Virtual Balloon Launch on Facebook would be more effective and create the opportunity to reach many more people.

Fred Modell, Co-Founder states "We know people like to align themselves to causes that are meaningful to them. They just don't always know how to engage. We hope that hosting our launch virtually, provides a simple way for people to join our movement. Each Facebook share represents a newly launched balloon symbolizing the hopes of a newly diagnosed patient."

About Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Vicki and Fred Modell established the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in 1987, in memory of their son Jeffrey, who died at the age of fifteen from complications of Primary Immunodeficiency -- a genetic condition that is chronic, serious, and often fatal.

JMF is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to early diagnosis, meaningful treatments and, ultimately, cures through research, physician education, public awareness, advocacy, patient support, and newborn screening. The Jeffrey Modell Centers Network (JMCN) includes 600 physicians at 250 academic institutions, in 206 cities, 84 countries, spanning 6 continents and growing.

For more information about PI, visit the Jeffrey Modell Foundation at www.info4pi.org or email [email protected]. You can also follow the Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Press Release
Media Contacts:

Vicki Modell, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200
Fred Modell, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200

SOURCE Jeffrey Modell Foundation