Addressing recent activity in the Maryland Legislature and discussion about it on the LymeNet ListServe



There has been an incredible amount of discussion regarding the Maryland legislation dealing with Lyme disease on LymeNet. A lot of this discussion has focused on the role of NatCapLyme in the legislative process. Our response to all of this can be found at the following link.

Click Here for: NatCapLyme Statement on Maryland Legislation

The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association


The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association is committed to helping patients diagnosed with tick-borne infections through education, support, and review of public policies concerning these diseases. We encourage individuals to advocate for themselves in their goal to regain their health. We offer patient support group meetings, information, speakers, legislative developments, and news updates. Everyone who is interested in tick-borne infections is welcome to attend our support groups and programs.

The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

www.NatCapLyme.org

This web site was created to provide information and support to those persons afflicted with tick-borne diseases and their loved ones. Monthly support group meetings of our Washington, D.C. chapter take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month with the exception of January, July and September. These meetings are held at Sibley Memorial Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016-2634. Please see the Directions page under the About Us tab for directions and a map to Sibley Memorial Hospital. The meetings schedules of our other chapters may be found on the chapters link.

If you have questions or would like additional information please contact us at natcaplyme@natcaplyme.org or (703) 821-8833


H.B. 512 - Update - Over one hundred Lyme patients attended the Virginia House of Delegates Committee Hearing on H.B. 512

ILADS Lymewatch - July 30, 2009

View NatCapLyme Statement to IDSA Guidelines Ctee
View Tina Garcia Hearing-Testimony-Final

IDSA Guidelines Review Panel Holds Historic Meeting


National Capital Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Association would like to thank everyone who cooperated and contributed to the effort to bring attention to the IDSA Guideline Review Panel last month. Working together, independent Lyme groups and their members, contacted local media, conducted a nationwide Twitter chat and spread lime green ribbons around cities and towns across America. Thank you all for your time and energy and a special thanks to Trish McCleary of Sturbridge Lyme Awareness of Massachusetts for advice and guidance on structuring the ribbon campaign.

As you all should know by now, on July 30th, the IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America) held its anticipated Guideline Review Panel in Washington, D.C., in a small room in the Ronald Reagan Building. The nine panelists focused intently on the task at hand--to hear the 18 presenters during a full day of hearings--from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The IDSA created the new panel to review its Lyme treatment guidelines as required in the 2008 settlement agreement in an antitrust lawsuit brought by Connecticut's Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Lorraine Johnson posted an informative summary on the background of what led to this event, and all Lyme sufferers from across the county are grateful for the effort she put into bringing this about. Read her account here: http://www.lymedisease.org/news/lymepolicywonk/179.html

Monte Skall, Executive Director of The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association (NatCapLyme) was fortunate to have been selected as one of the invited guests seated in the Hemisphere A Room to witness the hearing. “As I listened and watched the presenters & panelists, I could not help but think that we were finally getting our voice heard in a creditable way for the first time” she said. “The content of the presentations held no new surprises – it was the atmosphere in the room that was different. We were finally given the opportunity to express our point of view with the dignity we all so rightly deserve”.

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Preventing Lyme Disease Town Meeting

Speakers at the town hall meeting include:

  • Vicki Monroe, Fairfax County wildlife biologist.

  • Monte Skall, Executive Director, National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association.

  • Representatives from the Fairfax County Disease Carrying Insects Program.

Watch Preventing Lyme Disease Town Meeting

Pat Herrity

Supervisor Pat Herrity moderates this town hall meeting that focuses on the different ways Fairfax County residents can protect themselves, their families and their pets from Lyme disease. (CC)

Watch Preventing Lyme Disease Town Meeting: Click Here

Or: Watch Televised Version on Fairfax County Cox Cable Channel 16 on August 11, 8 PM




CDC Meeting
L-R: Bill Merrigan, Claudia Reda, Joy Walker, Mimi Segal, Ben Beard, Monte Skall, Sarah Wiley, Kathy Boileau, Don Boileau


Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Monte Skall
703-821-8833; monte@skall.net

NATCAPLYME BOARD MEETS WITH CDC REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, D.C., Wednesday, June 25, 2009--Twelve members of the board of the National Capital Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Association met with Dr. Ben Beard from the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Ft. Collins office and Sarah Wiley from the CDC's Atlanta office to exchange information and discuss their concerns related to Lyme and tick-borne diseases. A planned three-hour meeting extended to nearly four.

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Lyme Disease Awareness Month






Pictured with the Fairfax County Virginia Board of Supervisors are, Front Row: Carl Siversten, Fairfax County Health Department; Supervisor Pat Herrity; Dr. Jorge Arias, Fairfax County Health Department; Monte Skall, National Capital Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Association Executive Director; Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County Board Chairman; and Thomas Crow, Director, Fairfax County Environmental Health.


April 27, 2009View View Fairfax Proclamation



The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As warm weather arrives and people spend more time outdoors, it becomes more important to acknowledge the impact of Lyme disease in our community. "Lyme disease has affected hundreds of people in Fairfax County over the last two years," said Jorge Arias, Ph.D., supervisor of the health department's disease carrying insects program. "But, residents who are aware of the threat can easily take steps to protect themselves."

Click To Read Full Article


Press Release

NatCapLyme and Skibo Athletic Training Raise Over $10,000 for Lyme Disease

Four hundred walkers and runners turned up in the cool, drizzly morning hours of Saturday, May 16 to support the cause of Lyme disease in the Washington area for the first annual Lyme disease 5K Run/Walk at South Run Park in Springfield, Virginia.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Monte Skall
703-821-8833; monte@skall.net

GMU Helps Lyme Disease Victims Unite for Change
REP. FRANK WOLF KICKS OFF DISCUSSION

Washington, D.C., March 28, 2009. More than 160 representatives from Lyme disease organizations in 20 states assembled today at an all-day Legislative Forum facilitated by George Mason University in Arlington, VA, and openly debated topics vital to the future of our nation’s health. The National Capital Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Association and Turn the Corner Foundation sponsored the event.

Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and controversial diseases in U.S. history, and cases are dramatically increasing many thousands each year. Lyme victims are seeking long overdue CHANGE--in testing and treatment that will improve their lives and research to cure this debilitating disease

Lyme Legislative Forum Report


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LymeDisease

Lyme Video



This is a 12 minute film that contains basic information you need to know about Lyme Disease. The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association video was produced and made possible by a generous gift from the George Mason School of Communications.
Please start the video by clicking on the key that looks like this:    Pause Videos

Videos  Watch This Too: Lyme Disease Prevention Video