Melissa Biggs Named Chairperson, National Alpha-1 Detection Program
Melissa Biggs, mother, fashion designer, actress, and patient advocate, has been named the chairperson for the national Alpha-1 detection program, Test Today. Change Tomorrow. Melissa was diagnosed with Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency 2 years ago following a serious bout with pneumonia. Growing up, Melissa was often sick with respiratory illnesses and struggled to keep up with other children. Despite her constant illness, she was able to establish a successful modeling and acting career, including appearances on “Baywatch.”
Today, Melissa continues to act and runs PGD style, a fast-growing women’s apparel company. Melissa’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle coupled with appropriate treatment, including the Alpha-1 augmentation therapy Zemaira®, has helped her manage her Alpha-1 and live a full life. She is committed to sharing her experience and educating both the public and healthcare professionals about this disease, which is estimated to affect 100,000 Americans. As the Chairperson for Test Today. Change Tomorrow, Melissa will partner with CSL Behring, a global leader in the plasma protein biotherapy industry, to increase awareness about Alpha-1 deficiency and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Test Today. Change Tomorrow. fosters and provides national education and support for early detection and treatment of Alpha-1 deficiency. This initiative features programs and support services for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, including:
- Today's Health, a national broadcast television program about Alpha-1, featuring interviews with patients and leading researchers
- Toll-free information center for patients and healthcare professionals seeking to learn more about Alpha-1 testing and treatment
- Educational programs and materials
- Resources and grants to support Alpha-1 testing in healthcare settings and communities
Click here for more information about Alpha-1 or Test Today. Change Tomorrow.
Important Safety Information
Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human), Zemaira is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy for adults with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (A1-PI) deficiency and emphysema. Clinical data demonstrating the long-term effects of chronic augmentation therapy with Zemaira are not available.
Zemaira may not be appropriate for the following adult individuals as they may experience severe reactions, including anaphylaxis: individuals with a known hypersensitivity and/or history of anaphylaxis or severe systemic reaction to A1-PI products or their components, and individuals with selective IgA deficiencies who have known antibodies against IgA.
In clinical studies, the following treatment-related adverse reactions were reported in 1% of subjects: asthenia (fatigue), injection-site pain, dizziness, headache, paresthesia (tingling), and pruritus (itching).
Zemaira is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.
Please see full prescribing information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.