Donor spotlight: Kaitlyn Reusser

Kaitlyn Reusser is giving back to the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) for all the support that the organization has given her over the years by participating in IDF Walk for Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) - Cleveland. 

Kaitlyn’s journey with IDF first began in November 2016, when she became very sick at 22 years old. Kaitlyn had a history of medical conditions including asthma and adrenal insufficiencies causing her diagnosis to be especially complicated, leaving doctors and medical professionals perplexed. After more than a year of visiting a variety of doctors, Kaitlyn went to the Cleveland Clinic where she found a great team of medical professionals who were able to properly diagnose her with Hypogammaglobulinemia. 

Prior to being diagnosed, Kaitlyn had never heard of PI. She states, “I think that is part of the reason it took me so long to be diagnosed. I live in a very rural area in Ohio, and there isn’t much knowledge about it where I live.”

Since being introduced to the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) by her doctor, Kaitlyn has been very grateful for the educational resources she utilized to learn more about her diagnosis. Kaitlyn passionately believes that everyone should have access to these resources and should know about PI, even if they aren’t diagnosed with the disease. 

Kaitlyn continues to say, “I registered for IDF Walk for PI - Cleveland because I had considered doing it for the last few years but didn’t feel healthy enough to be able to walk due to my asthma (which was poorly controlled at the time). But one day this year, while I was getting my intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIG), the email came through about joining the walk. It had been tugging at my heart to do this for a while and I thought to myself why not do it this year? I am doing much better than I have been, and I need to support the foundation that has been there for me!”

Since deciding to register for the walk, Kaitlyn has already raised more than $1,300 thanks to the help of her family and friends. Kaitlyn encourages others who are also looking to raise awareness and funds for the PI community to reach out to loved ones and to post on social media. You never know who will donate, until you ask. 

Kaitlyn hopes to continue to fundraise for IDF and wants to continue to raise awareness in her community. She wants the PI community to know that you are never alone and things will get better by surrounding yourself with a great support team and medical team. 

Thank you, Kaitlyn, for all you are doing to support the PI community. If you are interested in raising awareness and improving the lives of those affected by PI, please consider registering for IDF Walk for PI. It is not too late, and you can keep fundraising until December 15, 2020. Learn more and register here: www.walkforpi.org.