Jeffrey Modell Foundation to Open the First North African Network for Primary Immunodeficiencies

LIVINGSTONE, Zambia, March 31, 2017

Like the other 253 sites that comprise the Jeffrey Modell Centers Network, the North African Network will offer advanced diagnostic evaluation to patients with a suspected primary immunodeficiency, a group of over 350 disorders arising from defects in the immune system carried by the genes and characterized by recurring infections that can be persistent, debilitating, chronic and life-threatening.  

Vicki Modell, Co-Founder, Jeffrey Modell Foundation shared, "Fred and I have dreamed about creating a Jeffrey Modell North African Network for a very long time. The Jeffrey Modell Foundation is honored and enthusiastic to work with CSL Behring now and well into the future to partner in our mutual vision, mission and life-saving initiatives for children in Africa."

The opening of the Network was announced at the 5^th African Society for Immunodeficiencies (ASID) biannual congress where CSL Behring is the main sponsor.  "Here in Africa, it's estimated that the diagnosis rate of PI, a life-threatening condition, is only about 0.3%.  This is why we remain committed to our promise of improving patient care, particularly in areas of great need, and to partnering with JMF and ASID to increase the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of PI in countries throughout the world," adds, Markus Staempfli, Vice President & General Manager, Intercontinental Commercial Operations, CSL Behring.

The newly founded center will be managed by leading experts in 4 countries:

• Dr. Rachida Boukari, Mustapha Pacha Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Algiers, Algeria
• Dr. Aisha El- Marsafy and Dr. Jeannette Boutros, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
• Dr. Aziz Bousfiha, King Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
• Dr. Ridha Barbouche, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia

About the Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Vicki and Fred Modell established the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) 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 over 600 expert physicians at 250 academic institutions, in 206 cities, 84 countries, spanning 6 continents and growing.