Immune Deficiency Foundation of Australia (IDFA)

04/09/2025

COLLABORATION AND CONNECTION | Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Conference in Brisbane!

The IDFA team have been at our exhibition stand, meeting and connecting with the incredible community of healthcare professionals who are passionate about allergy and immunology.

If you're going to be here today or tomorrow, Stop by to:
📚 Pick up resources for your clinic or patients
🤝 Learn about the benefits of IDFA membership
💬 Chat with our team about the work we do to support people with immunodeficiencies across Australia

Whether you’ve scheduled your sessions or are still planning your conference agenda, make sure to pop by and say hello — we’d love to connect!

📍 Find us in the exhibition hall at stand 9.

Pictured: ASCIA, IDFA, IDFNZ and AusPIPS Inc.

02/09/2025

💻 Webinar | Immunodeficiency Insights: Mindfulness, Mental Health and Self-Compassion

Jodie Cooper – Positive Psychology Coach & Educator
Jodie has spent 20 years building a successful coaching and presenting business, specialising in positive psychology and helping people become more positive, productive and resilient. In 2019, she set off on a trip around Australia with her family. When stuck in Tasmania during COVID, she launched a community wellbeing project that still runs today. With a Commerce degree, a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology, and an adventurous spirit, Jodie is on a mission to make the world a better place, one person at a time.

Elizabeth Granger – Director Openground
Elizabeth (Libba) Granger is a trauma-informed psychotherapist and Director at Openground, where she has been teaching and leading programs for over 16 years. One of the first in Australia trained to teach MBSR, Libba has delivered mindfulness and leadership programs across universities, hospitals, community organisations, and even Federal Parliament. She also pioneered the Mindfulness for Veterans Program. With a background as a litigation lawyer for 14 years, Libba brings a practical, down-to-earth approach to mindfulness, infused with warmth, humour, and long-standing Vipassana practice.

IDFA Member - Bella
Bella is soon-to-be grandmother for the ninth time. Living with CVID, Hypogammaglobulinemia, and Anemia, Bella has a wealth of lived experience navigating complex health challenges, supported by a dedicated team of specialists and doctors.
With aged care assistance freeing up time, she enjoys activities such as patchworking, swimming for therapy, and being an active member of the CWA. She also lives with sciatic nerve pain but continues to embrace life with warmth and determination.
Before her diagnosis, Bella was deeply involved in mental health retreats, which she describes as truly transformative. Her long-term commitment to IDFA reflects her passion for connection, community, and shared understanding.

IDFA Member - Leigh
Carer to 5yr old daughter, who was diagnosed with PID at 2yr old, enjoy supporting and assisting with spreading awareness around PID.

🔗Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O8FbzHkORnKiCbNsVtAUkw

02/09/2025

📰 August Newsletter 📰

Hello, IDFA community! Our last newsletter for the year is hot off the press, and we can't wait to share all the fantastic updates, insights, and highlights with you!

Highlights in this month's edition:
✨ Becoming a Peer Mentor with IDFA
✨ Plasma for Life Campaign
✨ Upcoming Webinar: Mindfulness, Mental Health and Self-Compassion

And more...

👉 Dive into the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/idfa.org.au/august-newsletter-8334831

To subscribe and receive these emails to your inbox, head over to our website: http://www.idfa.org.au

01/09/2025

27/08/2025

💻 Webinar | Immunodeficiency Insights: Mindfulness, Mental Health and Self-Compassion

Living with a primary (PID) or secondary immunodeficiency (SID) isn’t just about managing the physical challenges—it can also take a deep emotional toll. Stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm are common, and it can sometimes feel like you’re carrying that weight alone.

This special IDFA webinar is designed to give you tools, strategies, and perspectives to help lighten that load. Together, we’ll explore how mindfulness, mental health awareness, and self-compassion can support people living with chronic conditions to care for both body and mind.

✨ Hear from:
- Carolyn Dews, CEO, Immune Deficiencies Foundation Australia (Host)
- Jodie Cooper, Positive Psychology Coach & Educator
- Elizabeth Granger, Co-Director, Openground
- IDFA Members

Join us to gain practical skills, fresh insights, and encouragement from experts and community members who truly understand the journey.

📆Date: Wednesday 10th September 2025
⏰Time: 7pm AEST
📍Location: Online

Can't attend? Register to get the recording!
📧 Send questions to info**.org.au** in advance to shape the webinar content.

🔗Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O8FbzHkORnKiCbNsVtAUkw

26/08/2025

Invest in Our Mission 💰

Every dollar you give helps IDFA provide critical support to Australians living with immunodeficiencies. Your generosity enables access to vital services, fosters community connection, and amplifies the voices of those navigating life with a rare and often invisible condition.

Your support changes lives.

https://ow.ly/teh650WLMJY

26/08/2025

Every year, one person with a primary immunodeficiency may need over 130 plasma donations to stay strong, safe, and supported. That’s why plasma truly is life-giving.

For our Plasma for Life campaign, we’re shining a spotlight on our IDFA community—members who remind us every day what our motto “I Don’t Feel Alone” truly means.

👉 Watch. Feel it. Share it.
👉 Then sign up to donate with Lifeblood and be part of someone’s life-saving story.

Learn more: https://www.idfa.org.au/plasma-awareness/

Together, we can make sure no one faces an immunodeficiency alone. 💉🩸➡️💜

21/08/2025

🎙️ Introducing Immunity Pulse — the brand-new podcast from .

🎧 Listen now on Spotify and follow Immunity Pulse so you never miss a story that matters: https://open.spotify.com/show/0XwNb3H9qRIOfpXAoEjytZ?si=7976c55d139240bc

💥 Episode 1 is here!
What happens when a secondary immune deficiency (SID) hides a primary immune deficiency? We uncover the hidden links, why some patients go years without the right diagnosis, and why awareness matters more than ever.

Each episode takes you into the world of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) and related conditions, sharing real stories from patients and insights from medical experts. We explore the journeys that shape diagnosis, treatment, and hope — bringing education and empathy together, one story at a time.

16/08/2025

Tips and Resources | Self Advocate for Improved Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can increase the spread of airborne illnesses like colds, the flu, and COVID-19 — posing a serious risk to people with immunodeficiencies and other chronic health conditions.

We’ve partnered with The Safer Air Project, which was created to advocate for the recognition of indoor air quality as a critical accessibility and inclusion issue, and raise awareness about the impact of poor indoor air quality on the well-being of high-risk populations.

As part of this collaboration, Safer Air Toolkits have been developed, and offer tailored resources to help individuals advocate for cleaner, healthier air in the spaces they live, work, learn, and receive care.

Whether you’re a community member, employee, patient, or involved in education, each toolkit provides guidance, tools, and strategies to support your advocacy efforts.

Check out the toolkits here 👉https://www.idfa.org.au/advocacy/self-advocacy-tools/
Watch the webinar here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJMW3Cgi-As

12/08/2025

A few weeks ago, the IDFA contributed to Bloody Good Human Day at the Wollongong Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre.

What started as one dad’s crazy idea has grown into a nationwide movement of Bloody Good Humans 💪🩸—proving that one person’s positive energy can inspire thousands to roll up their sleeves (literally) and save lives.

Blood donation isn’t just life-changing for the person receiving it—it’s powerful for the donor too. Because Doing Good Feels Bloody Good! 🫶

The Bloody Good Tour may be over, but the mission continues! We didn’t crack the record this time (too many missed out) — but he's going for it again!

✅ Book your donation now for 03/02/26 and help us get closer to the goal of saving 100,000 lives.

This isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning. ❤️