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AAT deficiency (AATD), also known as Alpha-1 deficiency, is a serious,hereditary lung disease that results in progressively deteriorating lungfunction and can shorten life expectancies in patients who have the mostsevere form of the condition. An estimated 100,000 Americans have Alpha-1deficiency, which can be easily detected through the administration of asimple blood test. However, because symptoms of this condition, includingwheezing and shortness of breath upon exertion, are similar to those of otherforms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alpha-1 deficiency issignificantly underdiagnosed and undertreated.
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In fact, up to 95 percent of people with Alpha-1 deficiency have not beendiagnosed or have been misdiagnosed as having another form of COPD. Due tolow awareness of the condition, it takes an average of seven to eight yearsfrom symptom onset for a patient to be correctly diagnosed with Alpha-1deficiency.
To help raise awareness of Alpha-1 deficiency among healthcareprofessionals and the general public, Ms. Biggs will share her experiences andstress the importance of being tested for Alpha-1 at appearances in the U.S.and Canada, beginning with the annual scientific sessions of the AmericanThoracic Society (ATS) in Toronto on May 18 and 19.
"When I was diagnosed with the disease at age 32, I was traumatized. Iimmediately became an advocate for early detection of Alpha-1 deficiency,"said Melissa Biggs. "The sooner patients get diagnosed, the sooner they canget the medical help they need to live the best life possible." BecauseAlpha-1 deficiency is a hereditary disorder, Ms. Biggs encouraged her familyto get tested and several relatives discovered that they have the condition aswell.
Ms. Biggs began therapy with CSL Behring's Zemaira, a next-generationAlpha-1 proteinase inhibitor proven to raise and maintain levels of alpha-1.She also became involved with patient advocacy through CSL Behring. Inaddition to her work with the company, Ms. Biggs is active in fund raisingefforts including recently coordinating and hosting a first annual West Coastcharity event on behalf of the Caring Voices Coalition, an organizationcommitted to assisting individuals and families affected by serious chronicdisorders and diseases. Ms. Biggs is a member of the board of the Alpha-1Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the leadership andresources that will result in increased research, improved health amongAlphas, improved worldwide detection, and possibly even a cure for Alpha-1.
Today Ms. Biggs continues to act and is president, founder and designer ofP.G.D. Style, an exclusive women's contemporary clothing line. She alsomanufactures a private label collection for Guess? Inc. A percentage ofproceeds from each of her T-shirt sales is donated to help others sufferingfrom Alpha-1 deficiency. In addition to her awareness campaign and clothingline, Melissa is working on a personal and inspirational memoir about her lifeexperiences, with its anticipated release set for sometime in 2009. Hercommitment to a healthy lifestyle, coupled with appropriate therapy, hashelped her control her Alpha-1 and live a full and productive life.
"The appointment of Ms. Biggs to spearhead our education campaign on AATDreflects CSL Behring's commitment to raising awareness of this debilitatingcondition," said Robert Lefebvre, VP and General Manager, U.S. CommercialOperations. "We strongly encourage testing COPD patients for Alpha-1deficiency as recommended in the current ATS Guidelines. Knowing the reason
