Imagine what it would be like if your body was constantly battling infections, without a clear cause or diagnosis. This difficult search for answers and care is a daily reality for many living with Primary Immunodeficiencies (PI), a group of rare conditions that weaken the immune system.1
An estimated 6 million people worldwide are impacted by PI, yet a staggering 70-90% remain undiagnosed.1 This World PI Week, observed from April 22-29, the global community is uniting under the powerful call to action, "We Can't Wait" — championing for faster diagnoses and access to innovative care options.2
The Long Road to Diagnosis
For many individuals living with PI, the journey can be a long cycle of frequent, severe and prolonged infections, compounded by years of unexplained symptoms, doctor visits and misdiagnoses.1 This frustrating path can delay essential care and leave patients feeling isolated as they navigate a condition that is often rare, unfamiliar and difficult to recognize.
Finding a Path Forward
Ewa, a dedicated teacher, navigated this persistent pattern of illness for years. A pivotal moment came when she received a PI diagnosis at 28 years old which finally provided the answers she sought. This opened the door to understanding her condition and accessing the specialized support and therapies needed to manage it.
The Power of Plasma
For a majority of PI patients like Ewa, treatments made from human plasma are not just an option, but rather the only available path to providing the vital immune support their bodies cannot naturally produce.3 Plasma cannot be created in a lab and comes solely from donations from healthy people.4
Organizations like BioLife Plasma Services, part of Takeda, play a crucial role in collecting this essential plasma, which Takeda then develops into critical therapies. It's a remarkable chain of human connection — turning one person's generosity into another's crucial support.
A Collective Call to Action: "We Can't Wait"
As World PI Week reminds us, "We Can't Wait" for progress, when answers and critical care options are within reach. By raising awareness and supporting diagnostic efforts, we can collectively empower those living with PI to find their path forward and access the crucial care they deserve.
To learn more about PI and the power of plasma-derived therapies, watch the video above and read Ewa's full story at Takeda.com.
1 Meyts, I., Bousfiha, A., Duff, C. et al. "Primary Immunodeficiencies: A Decade of Progress and a Promising Future." Frontiers in Immunology. February 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.625753.
2 World Primary Immunodeficiency Week. "World Primary Immunodeficiency Week 2026: Shifting from Visibility to Action with "We Can't Wait" Campaign." March 2026. https://worldpiweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Press-Release-2026-PDF.pdf.
3 Peter, J. & Chapel, H. "Immunoglobulin replacement therapy for primary immunodeficiencies." Immunotherapy. July 2014. https://doi.org/10.2217/imt.14.54.
4 Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA). Plasma-Derived Medicines. https://www.uniquelysavinglives.org/plasma-derived-medicines.
