Hear Why We’re Talking About Vaccines — An IgG4-RD Patient Story
You may remember Mr. Joy from our Hope Is Here Fireside Chat. He made history as the very first IgG4-RD patient to receive B-cell depletion therapy.
Soon after that treatment in early 2020—and before any COVID-19 vaccine was available—he contracted the virus. At the time, there were no treatments and no roadmap for doctors and his immune system was severely compromised.
“You can die in two hours, or you can go on a vent and fight it"
Mr. Joy spent 14 days on a ventilator, endured multiple failed attempts to breathe on his own and remained hospitalized for almost two months. Only after critical interventions did he begin to recover.
When vaccines became available, he made sure to get every dose and booster recommended for immunocompromised patients. The difference was clear: when he caught COVID again last year, he recovered in under a week.
We’re sharing his story now because COVID-19 is one of the vaccines our community has been asking about. It’s a powerful reminder of why our upcoming discussion matters.
Watch the Fireside Chat: Vaccines & igG4-RD from August 8, 2025
