Andrew Hawkins

"I administer it myself every week, and can be traveling or at home."

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Andrew Hawkins isn’t your typical teenager. He’s an honor student, world traveler, aspiring engineer and champion driver. Andrew also lives with immune deficiency.

Hypogammaglobulinemia Diagnosis

As a boy he was frequently ill, enduring sinusitis and nose bleeds. When Andrew was 13 years old, he was diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia, a rare immune disorder that leaves him with an increased risk of infection.

"It was something we didn’t know existed, until he was diagnosed," said Jill Hawkins, Andrew’s mom.

Immunoglobulin Therapy

After receiving his diagnosis, Andrew began immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy. For several years he received his treatment monthly through an intravenous (IV). It was during this time that he developed a passion for open wheel racing.

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation" gave me the opportunity to attend a Formula 1 event in Monte Carlo, France, where I was introduced to the sport," Andrew said. “I learned that kart racing was a way to eventually become a Formula 1 driver and decided to give it a try."

Several years and championship trophies later, Andrew travels the world competing in kart races at a top level. In order to maintain his active lifestyle, he manages his condition with Vivaglobin^®, the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved subcutaneous immunoglobulin (Ig) for treatment of people with primary immunodeficiency.

Vivaglobin Therapy

"Vivaglobin is convenient," Andrew said. "I administer it myself every week and can be traveling or at home. The treatment doesn’t take long and it helps stabilize me."

The Jupiter, Florida native says he’ll continue competing in kart races as he aspires to one day be a professional Formula 1 driver. He also plans to continue to work hard in school to fulfill another dream of studying engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ).

He adds, "Because you always need something to fall back on."