FAMILY ZONE | SPRING 2021
The CIPO Family Zone was created with the intention of providing information, opportunities and activities tailored for our pediatric members and their families.
If you are the parent or caregiver to a child diagnosed with a primary immunodeficiency and would like to receive emails and information specifically centered around the pediatric community, please let us know.

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CAMPAIGNS | CIPO PLASMA AWARENESS

In conjunction with PI Awareness Month, CIPO has launched a marketing campaign, to highlight the need for life saving plasma products in Canada. This campaign, which will take place through 100 bus shelter adverts in BC and Ontario, is a major step for educating the general public about plasma products.
UPCOMING FAMILY EVENT | VIRTUAL BINGO!

 
Join us the evening of Friday May 14th for an hour of VIRTUAL BINGO, hosted by Spiderman and Princess Elsa!  
 
Registration is required for this event and is open to any family affected by PI.  

Upon registering, a PDF bingo card will be provided to you so you can print it to have ready to play.
 
Please be sure to register each person individually so we can ensure you receive the proper amount of PDF bingo cards!
READ |KIDS PI PUBLICATIONS

Thanks to our friends at the Immune Deficiency Foundation in the USA for these amazing kids books!

We hope you enjoy reading them while learning about your immune system.
FAMILY | AWARENESS
WORLD PI WEEK

CIPO is celebrating World PI Week, which is from April 22-29, 2021.

If your family would like to share their PI story, which will be featured during this very important week, please let us know!
PI TUNES | LISTEN
Kids and Teens - we have a PI Tunes Playlist just for you!

Whether you listen to music while you do your treatment, or when you're just hanging out enjoying some quiet time, we are sure you'll find your groove here!

Want to hear your favorite songs on an upcoming PI Tunes playlist? Please email us your song suggestions by clicking here.

Please click on the images below to access PI Tunes.
INTRODUCING | ESTHER

Esther, the CIPO mascot has big plans to head on some adventures. Especially when she can travel again! Keep your eyes open to see what she's up to on our social media pages and here in this newsletter!
THE ZEBRA ANOLOGY
Why are PI patients referred to as Zebras?

In medical school, many doctors learn the saying, “when you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras” and are taught to focus on the likeliest possibilities when making a diagnosis, not the unusual ones. However, sometimes physicians need to look for a zebra. Patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases are the zebras of the medical world.
SUPPORT | FAMILY ZONE VIRTUAL MEETUP GROUP
Many have experienced the stress and challenges that can come with living with an immune disorder. Being the parent/caregiver to a child with PI can be a very emotional journey. CIPO provides a virtual meetup group with the hope to alleviate some of the isolation that living with a Primary Immunodeficiency might bring. This connection is especially important during these times of uncertainty with COVID-19 and is a chance to meet with and talk to others who may be experiencing a familiar reality. 
 
The goal of a meetup group is to provide a social event, where those living with PI and their support team can get together, meet with others and share experiences while making new ones.

Having meetup groups available can help patients to overcome their feelings of isolation, to have the opportunity to share similar experiences, learn current information, provide emotional support and to advocate for each other.
 
The CIPO Family Zone is looking for a parent or caregiver to join our team of volunteer moderators for the MeetUp groups. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact us.
SUPPORT | COACH TRAINING
Attention Parents:
Training sessions for any parents interested in becoming a peer support coach will be offered virtually, in the fall of 2021.

If you are a the parent of a pediatric patient and would like to take part in this exciting and integral new service, please email us.

*You child must be 1 year post diagnosis to be considered for this volunteer position.
SUPPORT | PEER SUPPORT FOR PARENTS
The Peer Support Program which is modelled on the IDF program of the same name gives those affected by primary immunodeficiency the opportunity to connect with a trained volunteer who shares a similar personal experience to PI. This one-on-one support is perfect for those parents or caregivers of newly diagnosed children, or those in need of a little extra support.

Please send us an email for more information or to be matched with a trained Coach.
WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK!

What would you like to see in upcoming editions of the CIPO Family Zone Newsletter? Do you have any favorite song suggestions for a playlist? Any book recommendations if you enjoy reading? Tell us what you'd like to see!

CIPO | www.cipo.ca