Doing Good - White Cell Support Group
By: Jonathan Martinez
Updated: October 23, 2012
It is estimated that nearly 1 in 1,200 people live with primary immune deficiencies.
One group in Northwest Arkansas is aimed at bringing people together who live with the condition.
The White Cell Support Group has more than 100 members and growing.
"This is where people can meet to discuss they're diagnosis so they can see other people with similar problems," says Dr. Tina Merritt. "It's hard for them to deal with the diagnosis, plus there are so many things not known about it that it's very hard for them to deal with."
Living with an immune deficiency hinders people's ability to fight off common infections.
Edna Howard says, "You could be doing fine one minute and then the next your body just give out on you." She was diagnosed with common variable deficiency back in 2008. "I was constantly ill with phenomena, bronchitis, sinusitis."
The group offers members an opportunity to come together and talk about their conditions, treatments options and share stories.
"It is important that you get into a support group where you have a health condition so you don't feel alone," says Howard.
