I was born with hypogammaglobulinemia, which is a primary immune deficiency of the main antibody defense against bacteria. Treatment of my immune deficiency involves antibody replacement therapy which I get every day and is made possible by plasma donors. They take the antibodies out of thousands of blood plasma donations to give a wide range of antibodies & it is called immune globulin.
Without immune globulin I suffered from frequent and severe infections, migraines, vomiting and dehydration, and even low platelets. Before treatment I had one instance where I had internal bleeding and another where I lost all control over my body and couldn’t move or speak for days, but mostly I just had severe infections that would land me in bed a month or more at a time. I had no appetite, was often in pain and also had trouble breathing. I got sick so easy that new infections were really impossible to avoid no matter how careful I was. It seemed I was almost always sick. Antibody replacement therapy helps me to have fewer and less severe infections, more energy and less pain. I am usually able to go to the gym, enjoy bike riding and take care of my family, home & pets. I no longer have all kinds of complications from the infections that I used to and I do tend to recover in a more normal way. I enjoy a happy life with my family and mostly do so well that few would ever guess there was anything wrong with me unless I tell them. I would like to thank blood donors for their generosity and for helping save my life and the lives of others with PIDD and other diseases where the only effective treatment is plasma derived therapy. Without blood donations so many of us would not be able to enjoy the lives we do. I think of donors every time I’m having a really good day or enjoying a holiday or night out with friends. Even just being able to go shopping without getting sick is such a gift. Without blood donations so many of my happy memories would not have been possible. I am only able to participate in life as much as I do because of of you. There is no way to really express my gratidude but from the bottom of my heart I feel thanks for all of you that donate.