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November 24th, 2004

Octapharma, JMF & the Miami Metro Zoo


On Friday November 12th the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) and the University of Miami came together to organize a physician and public awareness program entitled: "Do you know the 10 warning signs of PID?"

This one-day event, aimed to create awareness and recognition of the clinical signs and symptoms associated with Primary Immune Deficiency diseases (PID), to increase understanding of the molecular basis and laboratory evaluation of PID and to provide education on the different screening tests and treatment strategies available.

Instead of returning to their New York base, Fred and Vicki Modell stayed over in Florida to participate in the annual South Florida "Kids Day" held November 13th at the Miami Metro Zoo. The fun filled event attracted over a hundred children with PID along with their parents, physicians, nurses, Home Health Care companies and pharmaceutical company representatives, including Alex Perez of Octapharma.

As well as being great fun for the kids, parents of those with PID were able to meet with and either receive or give support to others in the same situation.  By helping families realize that “they are not alone” JMF helps to turn the pain, despair and suffering of immunodeficient children and adults into comfort and hope.

Alex Perez, William Blouin

Parents were also able to informally meet and mingle with their children’s care givers including Dr. Kleiner ( University of Miami ) and William Blouin ( Miami Childrens Hospital ).

They also heard Fred and Vicki Modell, co-founders of JMF, speak about the Foundation, established in memory of their son Jeffrey. Fred remarked how impressed he was to see the South Florida kids come together with their community and friends.

”The event was supported by both Octapharma and Grifols who together provided the participants with t-shirts, hats, lunch bags, lunch and tickets.

L-R Vicki & Fred Modell with Alex Perez


Pulling together...
”This was the first time that I had the privilege to meet a group of patients and their families. It was wonderful to see the closeness among the parents, physicians and patients of the South Florida PID community.
Although extremely humbling, I learned first-hand just how vital IVIG is to many of these families and the important role both Octapharma and I play in providing this life-saving therapy. Alex Perez, Octapharma Territory Business Manager, FL






















For more information on JMF please click here.
(Please note that clicking on this link will take you outside of the Octapharma web site)


© Octapharma AG, 2004