One Father’s Journey With IgG4-RD — And How Your Gift Can Double the Hope
As we approach Giving Tuesday, we are reminded how generosity can change the lives of families affected by IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) – a rare, often misunderstood immune mediated condition.
In this powerful short video clip, filmed inside the historic Ether Dome at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Andrew Provencher, shares how a life-altering accident uncovered a far more serious, hidden illness that took over a year to correctly diagnose.
Andrew’s Story: How an Accident Revealed Something Far More Serious
In June of 2020, a devastating mountain bike accident left Andrew with multiple injuries. A CT scan performed in the Emergency Room revealed unexpected shadows and masses in his lungs.
“The ER doctor said, I know what this is….it looks like a very aggressive form of cancer.”
Over the next fifteen months, Andrew underwent PET scans, blood tests and appointments with multiple specialists. Diagnoses were considered, and ruled out, again and again.
The correct diagnosis, IgG4-related disease, finally came after months of uncertainty and fear. For Andrew, the delay wasn’t due to negligence – it was due to the lack of awareness and recognition of IgG4-RD.
Why the Zebra Matters in Rare Disease
In the video, Katharine Provencher, Andrew’s wife/caregiver and Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement for IgG4ward! explains:
“They were looking at him as a horse, not a zebra. And that matters.”
In medicine, clinicians are often taught:
When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras.
Meaning: look for the most common diagnosis first.
Patients like Andrew are the zebras. Their “stripes” don’t follow typical patterns, and those differences are often overlooked.
Greater awareness means earlier diagnosis, less fear, and better outcomes for families.
Families Feel the Impact
For Andrew, finally receiving the correct diagnosis meant more than answers.
It meant being present for his three young boys, who were too young to understand what was happening, but not too young to feel the fear and disruption it brought to their home.
His story reminds us that IgG4-RD affects far more than the person diagnosed, it impacts entire families, caregivers and support networks.
Double the Hope: Your Gift is Matched Through December 31
In this video, Dr. John Stone, Executive Chairman of the IgG4ward! Foundation shares an important message:
From now through December 31, every donation to IgG4ward! will be DOUBLED.
A generous and anonymous donor from the IgG4ward! community will match every contribution, dollar-for-dollar, up to $150,000.
Your doubled gift today directly supports:
Earlier, more accurate diagnosis for patients like Andrew
Education and awareness for clinicians worldwide
Resources and support for patients and caregivers
In person and virtual patient events and programs
Research and innovation in IgG4-related disease
Your generosity helps shorten diagnostic journeys, uplift families and bring real hope to those affected by IgG4-related disease.
Want to Learn More About IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD)?
If you’d like to better understand IgG4-RD — including symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and patient stories — please visit our Education & Resource Center for videos, articles, and easy-to-understand information.
