New documentary film released

Immune Deficiency Foundation announces release of new documentary film, Compromised: Life Without Immunity

Feature-length film shines a light on the experiences of those living with primary immunodeficiencies and has been selected for screening at The Social Impact Film Festival. 

Baltimore, MD

The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) is gearing up for the rollout and launch of Compromised: Life Without Immunity, a new feature-length documentary film that offers an intimate look into the world of those living with primary immunodeficiencies (PI).

Directed by filmmaker Zachary Moore and produced by IDF, the documentary follows the inspiring journeys of individuals who face life-threatening challenges daily yet refuse to let their conditions define them.  

An initial sneak preview of Compromised was held during the 2024 PI Conference in Chicago on June 21, with more than 1,000 members of the PI community in attendance.  

“We are proud and honored to share Compromised with the PI community and the rest of the world,” said Jorey Berry, President & CEO of the Immune Deficiency Foundation. “This groundbreaking documentary is a first-of-its-kind project that shines a light on the experiences of those living with PI. It will serve as an invaluable advocacy and awareness tool that showcases the strength and courage of people whose stories are rarely told so vividly.”

In the film, patients and families share their struggles and triumphs, while medical experts offer insight into the fight against these rare diseases. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, Compromised reveals the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit and the urgent need for greater awareness and support in the medical community.  

Compromised features a new song, “Carry On”, by Ironmouse, an online entertainer, singer, streamer, and member of the PI community who has amassed more than four million followers across her social platforms. The song, created exclusively for the film, captures the heaviness and hope of living with PI. Ironmouse is also an executive producer on the film, along with Connor Colquhoun, who goes by CDawgVA online. The two have been passionate advocates and fundraisers for the Immune Deficiency Foundation for several years.

“I’m really excited about this film,” said Nicole Rochester, MD, a Health Equity Consultant, and Professional Health Advocate. “I think it's going to be a powerful tool to build community, to build awareness, and hopefully to build additional bridges for research dollars and support. A documentary film that features patients with chronic disease is extremely powerful, particularly in the rare disease community, because these are individuals who often don't know anyone or see anyone who's like them.”

To watch the film trailers and learn more about hosting a screening of Compromised in your community, visit primaryimmune.org/compromised.  

Comprehensive promotional campaign includes screening at the Social Impact Film Festival

Compromised: Life Without Immunity has been selected for screening at the Social Impact Film Festival.  The festival screens films specifically produced for social impact, inspiring change on a local and global scale. The festival includes an on-site volunteer fair with related nonprofits and a series of other special events.

The Immune Deficiency Foundation is also partnering with Entertainment 2 Affect Change (E2AC) on a comprehensive promotional campaign aimed at leveraging the film as a resource and tool for awareness of PI on a national level. The campaign includes targeting various film festivals and global distribution platforms and driving interest in grassroots and local screenings across the country.  

E2AC is a non-profit organization committed to producing and promoting high-quality digital, cinematic, and live entertainment for the express purpose of bringing positive change to underserved health and social communities.

About primary immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIs), also known as inborn errors of immunity (IEI), are a group of more than 450 rare, chronic conditions in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function correctly. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are approximately 500,000 individuals in the U.S. with a PI. These conditions are caused by hereditary genetic defects and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. PI can cause infection, malignancy (cancer), allergy, autoimmunity, autoinflammation, or any simultaneous combination of these issues. 

About the Immune Deficiency Foundation

The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) is the largest primary immunodeficiency (PI) patient advocacy group in the United States, with 44 years of expertise in primary immunodeficiency. As such, we take pride in helping to connect, engage, and empower families to live longer, stronger, healthier lives. Whether you are looking for subject matter experts on PI (clinicians or patients), information about an upcoming event, or a statement from the organization on a particular topic, we can offer guidance and resources in a variety of areas, including: 

• Stories of rare, chronic, or invisible illness.
• Insurance access challenges.
• Plasma supply (and plasma-derived therapies).
• Issues related to the immunocompromised.
• The importance of newborn screening (particularly related to SCID).
• Genetic and inherited conditions.
• General healthcare or nonprofit topics.
• Difficult/long journeys to diagnosis.