Summary:
PLYMOUTH, Minn., July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –The Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF), in partnership with CSL Behring, has designated the Midwest Immunology Clinic in Plymouth, Minnesota as a Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies (PI). The Center is headed by Ralph Shapiro, M.D. and is devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and care of people who have PI and autoimmune disorders.
“This is a very exciting day for Midwest Immunology Clinic,” said Dr. Shapiro. “We are honored to receive this distinction and look forward to working with the Jeffrey Modell Foundation and CSL Behring in raising awareness of immune problems among patients and physicians throughout our region, while continuing to enhance and improve our ability to diagnose and treat these rare and potentially debilitating disorders.”
PI affects males and females of all ages, but the most severe forms are frequently detected in children. Symptoms of PI are often overlooked because they appear to be common childhood illnesses such as sinus infections, pneumonia, fever 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. Failure to diagnose PI can lead to serious chronic illness, permanent damage to health, or even death. PI includes more than 120 diseases caused by an immune system that does not function properly.
“We know that as many as 500,000 cases of PI remain undiagnosed in the United States,” said Fred Modell, co-founder of the JMF. “Our goal is to give every child a chance to lead a healthy, normal life. We are thrilled to form this partnership with Midwest Immunology, Dr. Ralph Shapiro and CSL Behring.”
“CSL Behring is proud and honored to be a part of this very exciting event,” said Paul Perreault, President, CSL Behring. “The Jeffrey Modell Foundation’s clear commitment to patient care is being proven once again with the establishment of this new diagnostic center. We are pleased that, as a result, patients will have even greater access to Immunoglobulin therapy so they can more easily enjoy life to the fullest.”
The Midwest Immunology Clinic is located at 15700 37th Avenue North in Plymouth, MN.
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1iTGU)