April is National Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month and April 22-29 is World PI Week.

With your help, we can raise awareness and increase the understanding of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI), which can lead to earlier diagnosis and better care for those living with PI.

Not sure how to get started? IDF is here to help! Here are ten simple ways to make a big impact this Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month:

1. Use Social Media
   Throughout the month of April, IDF will be posting educational information about PI on our social media pages. Simply share and retweet these posts to promote PI awareness to your followers. And don't forget to follow IDF on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
2. Share your Story
   Whether you share your story in a Facebook status or at a local gathering, we encourage you to share your story with those around you. You can also upload a video or send IDF stories and pictures about your journey living with PI for inclusion on the IDF blog and/or the IDF ADVOCATE newsletter. 

   

3. Use Hashtags
   Hashtags are a great way to create visibility, contribute to conversations, connect with the community and raise awareness! Here are some hashtags we encourage you to use this month and throughout the year:
   
   #livingwithPI
   #PIawareness
   #primaryimmunodeficiency
   #THINKZEBRA
   #zebrastrong
4. Distribute IDF's Always Sick Poster
   Download IDF's Always Sick Poster and take it to the office of your primary care provider and other healthcare providers to help us reach more individuals seeking answers who are living with PI. We also encourage you to visit the IDF Resource Center to browse more helpful educational materials about PI.
5. Distribute the IDF's About Primary Immunodeficiency flyer. 
   Share this About Primary Immunodeficiency flyer with friends, family, and co-workers to raise awareness and learn about primary immunodeficiencies. 
6. Wear Zebra Print
   In medical school, doctors are taught to focus on the likeliest possibilities when making a diagnosis and "when you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras" but for those living with PI, sometimes doctors need to THINK ZEBRA! Since individuals living with PI are the zebras of the medical world, we encourage our community to wear zebra print to promote PI awareness.

   

7. Join the Global Effort
   Take part in World PI Week, the global campaign to promote worldwide awareness of PI.
8. Stand Up for the PI Community
   Sign up for IDF Action Alerts and stand up for legislative issues related to PI with the click of a button. Visit the IDF Advocacy Center to view priorities for the community.
9. Inform Others
   For those interested in learning more or have questions about PI, direct them to the IDF website to browse information about PI: www.primaryimmune.org 
10. Participate
    Want to get more involved? Join the IDF Outreach Initiative, a grassroots movement to expand the reach and impact of IDF nationwide. Lead a Get Connected Group in your area, or visit local physicians and distribute IDF materials. 

You can make a big impact in helping to raise awareness for PI during the National Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month and the whole year.

Make sure you share your efforts with IDF! Tell us on social meida what you're doing to raise PI awareness or e-mail us at idf@primaryimmune.org.