One of my closest friends has three boys ranging in age from 6 to 10.  Each of them has Primary Immunodeficiency Disease... or PIDD.  What is PIDD?  Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases are disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function properly. In contrast to secondary immune deficiency disease in which the immune system is compromised by factors outside the immune system, such as viruses or chemotherapy, the primary immune deficiency diseases are caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system.

In layman terms, this means that his children have a very difficult time fighting off illness.  Pneumonia is common and some of their vaccinations are ineffective.  These children have to have a weekly transfusion.

The good news is that they have been diagnosed and they are living their lives.  They have hope that this disease may be cured.  Along with two other local families (six children in all) they are part of Team Hope.

Last night, Team Hope had a wine tasting fundraiser which was a great event.  I wanted to thank Salvatores Restaurant in Lawrence (as well as the other event sponsors) for throwing an amazing event and getting so much food, wine and auction items donated.  Everyone had a good time and $1000's of dollars were raised.