Joanna at the Staten Island Back to the Beach event with IDF table
IDF volunteer, Joanna Tierno has been all around Staten Island, NY actively educating her community about the Immune Deficiency Foundation and primary immunodeficiency diseasses this month.
Joanna set up tables with IDF literature, brochures, and plush germs at the annual Staten Island Back to the Beach celebration and Where to Turn blood drive. Back to the Beach took place August 14-15 at the Midland Beach pier. Staten Island Borough President Jim Molinaro was on hand along with an enthusiastic summer crowd of 30,000 Staten Islanders. Joanna talked to many people about IDF and PIDD, and even got the kids excited by encouraging them to draw pictures of zebras when they stopped by her table.
Zebra drawing from Maleny, age 10
The blood drive occured August 22 at the St. Mary’s Community Center in Staten Island. Joanna took the oppportunity to talk to participants about the primary immunodeficiency diseases. She also spoke with Nicole Malliotakis, candidate for NY State Assembly, about IDF advocacy issues like IVIG access and SCID newborn screening.
This is a great example of using exisiting community events as a springboard to talk to people about primary immunodeficiency diseases and to advocate for the whole PIDD community! IDF is so lucky to have active volunteers like Joanna spreading the Think Zebra message.
Joanna's educational table at the blood drive
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