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, one of 38 worldwide supported by the JMF, focuses on the diagnosis, care and treatment of those suffering from PI.

“Early recognition and diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency diseases can save lives and improve health outcomes for children,” said Maite De La Morena, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center and pediatric immunologist at Children's Medical Center. “The educational and diagnostic programs made possible through this support will improve care for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases, and will also generate cutting-edge research opportunities,” said Dr. De La Morena, who leads the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies at Children's Medical Center.

“We are thrilled to support this important work at Children's, 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.”

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 Medical Center,” said Larry Stern, chairman and CEO of Talecris Biotherapeutics. “Talecris is proud to collaborate with the JMF and Children’s—an example of our ongoing commitment to improve the lives of so many patients 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.

Media Contacts:
Marla Trilling, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200
Wendy Wilson, Talecris Biotherapeutics, (919) 316-6316
Jessica Newell, Children's Medical Center, (214) 456-5302

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 38 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 info@jmfworld.org.

About Children's Medical Center
In its mission to make life better for children, the Children’s Medical Center pediatric healthcare system devotes itself solely to caring for the complex medical needs of children. Children’s is private, not-for-profit, and is the ninth largest pediatric healthcare provider in the country, licensed for 411 beds and operating 10 ambulatory care sites. More than 800 medical staff members help fulfill the needs of patients and their families during more than 350,000 patient visits each year. Through its academic affiliation with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s hosts research conducted by its medical staff members that is instrumental in developing treatments, therapies, and greater understanding of pediatric diseases. Many of the 50 specialty programs of the Children’s system have received national and international recognition, confirming a stellar reputation for Children’s as one of the finest pediatric healthcare providers in the U.S. Children’s Dallas is the only designated Level I trauma center for pediatrics in the Southwest and one of only 14 in the U.S.