IgG4ward

IgG4ward! Foundation is the only organization dedicated solely to IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD ), providing trusted education, advocacy and support.

We empower patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers with resources to navigate IgG4-RD.

12/22/2025

Stories shared by patients help awareness move forward.

In this video, Chris shares what it’s been like living with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), the importance of informed care, and why getting the word out matters. He also chose to give back by supporting our Double the Hope campaign.

With just over one week left and less than $3,000 to go, we’re close to reaching our goal — and every act of support helps.

Please take a moment out of your day to:
🎥 Watch the video

🔗 Read the full story:
https://igg4ward.org/igg4ward-educational-resources/igg4-related-disease-double-the-hope/

💙 Support Double the Hope:
https://igg4ward.org/double-the-hope-donation-form/

12/18/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, IgG4ward! is reflecting on a year of expanded patient education, community engagement, and support for people living with IgG4-related disease.

Our end-of-year community update outlines key impact highlights from 2025 and shares upcoming priorities for 2026, including patient-facing education, mental health support, and global community engagement initiatives.

💙 Read the full update: https://bit.ly/4s67anI

12/17/2025

When you’re living with a chronic illness, body reactions can feel confusing—especially when medical trauma is part of the journey.

In this clip from our IgG4ward! Caregiver’s Conversation, Katharine opens a broader discussion with Julie Wells (Give an Hour) and Patient Ambassadors Andy and Kim about noticing body signals, understanding stress responses, and navigating the emotional side of IgG4-related disease.

👇 Watch this short clip
👉 Read the companion blog and watch the full Caregiver’s Conversation here:
🔗 https://bit.ly/3KWp7V0
💬 This conversation includes many voices and experiences—if it resonates, you’re not alone.

12/11/2025

Behind every IgG4-RD diagnosis is an emotional story—and for many, a long period of fear, confusion, and unanswered questions.
Two members of our IgG4ward! Mental Health Patient Ambassador team know this all too well:

One was told he had Stage 4 lung cancer for more than a year before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Another was hospitalized with sepsis and told she had ovarian cancer before learning the true cause: IgG4-related disease.

Both now live with IgG4-RD. Both have worked hard to care for their emotional wellbeing.
And both are stepping forward to help guide our next community conversation.

This Friday, they will join Julie Wells from Give an Hour and Katharine Provencher, Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement for IgG4ward!

Caregiver Conversation: Coping with Stress, Trauma & Self-Preservation
This session will explore:
• Stress and chronic stress
• Trauma in the body
• Emotional regulation
• Self-preservation
• The healing role of peer support

If you are living with IgG4-RD, caring for someone who is, or simply feeling the emotional strain of this journey—you are not alone.

We hope you will join us.💙

Save your post and register via the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DV_MfqrCR92KNZc8RKq3hQ #/registration

12/09/2025

Many caregivers and individuals living with IgG4-RD have shared that they didn’t realize how deeply prolonged stress had affected them—until someone finally put language to their experience.

At the IgG4ward! PeachJAM, Julie Wells of Give an Hour said during her powerful breakout session:
“I want to make sure that you understand the weight and the gravity of some of the things that you’ve been through—so that you will pay particular attention to the care that you need to take for yourself.”

Her words resonated across the room.
This Friday, we’re expanding on this important conversation through our Caregiver’s Conversation: Coping with Stress, Trauma & Self-Preservation, hosted by Katharine Provencher.

We’ll discuss:
• Stress vs. chronic stress vs. trauma
• How uncertainty impacts the body
• Emotional regulation techniques
• Five signs someone may be struggling
• Self-preservation vs. pressure-filled “self-care”
• The healing power of peer support

Two Mental Health Patient Ambassadors will also share lived experience.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed on this journey, we hope you’ll join us.
Please read the full article and register for this important and necessary Conversation: https://bit.ly/4pXdtrO

12/04/2025

We’re thrilled to share a special announcement from Dr. John Stone and Katharine Provencher, who introduce the IgG4ward! EuroJAM — the first European IgG4-RD Patient Jamboree!

📍 Senate House, University College London
🗓 May 22–23, 2026

Hosted by Dr. Emma Culver & The IgG4ward! Foundation.
The EuroJAM will feature expert-led sessions, small-group discussions, and opportunities to connect with others living with IgG4-RD from across Europe and beyond.

🎥 Watch the announcement video from Dr. Stone and Katharine

📖 Read the full blog for more details:
https://bit.ly/4pdiZ9G

12/02/2025

It’s Giving Tuesday — a day built on generosity, hope, and community. 💙
In this short Ether Dome video, Katharine and Dr. Stone share something powerful:
▫️ Why IgG4-RD is so often missed
▫️ What earlier diagnosis could mean for families
▫️ Why education is one of the most urgent needs in our community

So many patients spend months — sometimes years — searching for answers.
Today, we’re asking for your help to change that.

💙 Every donation today is DOUBLED up to $150,000 💙
Your gift truly has twice the impact.

Read the full article and donate here:
https://bit.ly/4iCDdY2
Please share, comment, or give if you’re able.

Every action helps us Double the Hope.

12/01/2025

Today we’re sharing an impactful message from Amy, a friend of someone living with IgG4-RD who recently made a contribution to our Double the Hope Campaign.

Her words speak to the heart of what Giving Tuesday is all about:
“When we all get behind and help out, there is this feeling of hope… even on days when hope isn’t there. One unexpected kind or supportive thing can offset that.”

Amy’s generosity — like so many of yours — directly strengthens our mission and widens the circle of hope for patients and caregivers.

As approaches tomorrow, we invite you to join Amy in helping us Double the Hope.

Every act of support matters. Every dollar is doubled. And every contribution brings comfort to those who need it most.

💙 Thank you, Amy.
💙 Thank you, IgG4ward! community.

11/25/2025

“My labs are normal, my symptoms are mild… could my RPF still be active?”

This was one of the questions asked during the PeachJAM Expert Panel — and it reflects the kinds of challenges, worries and uncertainties many patients know all too well.

We are delighted to share with you Video 6 in our PeachJAM Video Series, featuring insights from five leading IgG4-RD experts.

🎥 Watch this clip
📘 Then read the full Expert Q&A Panel recap — including the entire Q&A video — in our latest blog:
https://igg4ward.org/igg4ward-educational-resources/expert-panel-qa-peachjam/

11/20/2025

One father. Three young boys. Fifteen months searching for answers.

In our newest video, Andrew Provencher shares how a devastating accident uncovered a far more serious, hidden illness: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

This rare disease is often missed — and families can spend months or years searching for the right diagnosis.
Andrew’s journey shows exactly why awareness matters… and why earlier recognition changes lives.

💙 This Giving Season, your donation will be DOUBLED through December 31. A generous donor is matching all gifts up to $150,000.

Watch Andrew’s story, then read the full blog and learn how your gift can Double the Hope for families like his:
https://igg4ward.org/igg4ward-educational-resources/igg4-rd-patient-story-double-the-hope/

11/18/2025

How do you know if IgG4-RD is active?

This is a common question we hear from the community, therefore we added it to our IgG4ward! PeachJAM Agenda.

In this PeachJAM clip, Dr. Matt Baker from Stanford uses a powerful sports analogy to break down why monitoring IgG4-RD is never one-size-fits-all. Every patient, every organ system, every flare—different rules, different “signals,” different steps.

Watch the clip, then dive into the full video & full blog here: https://igg4ward.org/igg4ward-educational-resources/igg4rd-disease-activity-peachjam/

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