Our Stories

I am Karen, and I am 46 years old and an elite disabled athlete. Because of my plasma therapy, I can participate in sports, run a non-profit that works globally to socialise and mobilise people with lung disease, and spread information to the public about lung disease, and Alpha-1 in particular.

I was 29 years old when I was first diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). I had 6 platelets left and was bleeding from the inside and covered in countless scary bruises.

I have been living with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) for several years. Since 2013, I have been using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a plasma protein therapy. I like to call it being “juiced up,” because it gives you a boost of energy and eliminates your symptoms in a matter of days. Before my diagnosis, I had no idea what this disease was or that this form of treatment existed.