Press Releases

Group Purchase for Institute of Medicine Report

We are pleased to make available to our members and friends at a discounted group rate the published workshop report, Critical Needs and Gaps in Understanding Prevention, Amelioration, and Resolution of Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases: The Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes. This report stems from a workshop on the state of the science of Lyme diseases and other tick-borne diseases, requested by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In addition to the summary of the workshop the report also contains 10 commissioned papers on the topic.

New Date: Virginia Lyme Disease Task Force Meets June 30 To Vote on Recommendations

Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force has announced a new date for its meeting in Leesburg. Previously scheduled for June 9, the new date is Thursday, June 30, at the Loudoun County Government Center from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Important New Date: Va. Lyme Disease Task Force Meets To Vote on Recommendations June 30

Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force has announced a new date for its meeting in Leesburg.

Virginia Lyme Task Force Votes June 9 Open Meeting

Leesburg will host the culminating meeting of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force on Thursday, June 9, at the Loudoun County Government Center from 1:00 until 4:00 PM. Chairman Michael Farris and the panel of state officials and key professionals will deliberate and vote on findings and recommendations for the Governor on how the Commonwealth can address the rising tide of Lyme disease and also assist its sufferers.

A NEW REPORT BY THE IOM RECOGNIZES A HUGE KNOWLEDGE GAP IN LYME DISEASE

Today the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report on the critical needs and gaps in Lyme disease research. The chair of the IOM Committee, Dr. Lonnie King stated: “significant gaps in knowledge exist that require new studies and research.”

IOM Report: Significant Gaps Remain In Understanding of Lyme Disease

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released their report on April 20, 2011, on “The Critical Needs and Gaps in Understanding Prevention, Amelioration and Resolution of Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases.” The report confirmed what Lyme patients have known for years – that Lyme disease is a serious illness, and significant gaps remain in our understanding of the disease.

Virginia Lyme Disease Task Force Seeks Solutions at Final Hearing on April 25

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's appointed Lyme Disease Task Force will conduct its final hearing on Monday, April 25 at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, VA. Public Education is the topic as the Task Force collects expert testimony to help the governor address a rapidly evolving Lyme disease epidemic.

Governor’s Lyme Disease Task Force Hears Stories of Loss-- Next Hearing April 25

Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force held its fifth public testimony hearing Tuesday night in Springfield, Virginia, to allow residents to share concerns about the spread of Lyme disease in the commonwealth.

VA Lyme Task Force Needs Input

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force held its first public testimony hearings March 1 in Virginia Beach and Richmond. Scores of residents testified about the detrimental impacts of Lyme disease and the problems of finding prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Virginia Lyme Disease Task Force To Hold Six Hearings In March

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s appointed Lyme Disease Task Force will conduct a total of six hearings in March in multiple regions of the state. The hearings are designed to gather important information about the effectiveness of diagnostic tools and treatments and to discuss ways to increase awareness of this devastating disease to aid Virginia residents and medical practitioners.

VA Lyme Task Force 1st Public Testimony

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s Lyme Disease Task Force will conduct its first hearing to receive testimony from the public on Tuesday, March 1 from 1-4 PM at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. Anyone who wishes to address the chairman Michael Farris and other members of the task force is invited to speak.

Press Release: Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel Announces Lyme Disease Task Force

Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Dr. Bill Hazel, today announced the creation of a task force to explore prevention and treatment of Lyme disease. This taskforce will work to bring recommendations and information to the Governor regarding Lyme disease and the diagnosis, prevention, public education, medical treatment, and will also consider the impact of Lyme disease on children.

Governor's Lyme Disease Task Force Holds First Of Two Hearings

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's newly appointed Lyme Disease Task Force held an expert testimony hearing Tuesday, November 30 at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville. The first of two hearings, attended by nearly 200 patients, was designed to gather important information about the accuracy of diagnostic tools and efficacy of treatments.

URGENT Message to the Lyme Community

As you know, some Lyme advocates have chosen to pull out of the IOM Lyme Disease workshop http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Disease/TickBorne.aspx. They are legitimately concerned that the agenda is heavily biased against the patients’ interest. We respect their concerns and their decision to pull out of the workshop. However, upon careful consideration, we have decided to participate in the IOM workshop to represent the Lyme patient’s perspective and show support for our presenters.

NatCapLyme VA-HB-512-Press-Release

A new bill, introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates by Tom Rust, Delegate, 86th District (R), seeks to protect physicians in Virginia who provide extended antibiotic therapy to patients diagnosed with chronic Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Currently doctors treating Lyme disease aggressively with long term antibiotics are targeted by medical boards and insurance companies and face losing their license.

Doctor Protection Legislation in Virginia

Great news for us all! Delegate Tom Rust has introduced H.B. 512, a bill in the Virginia House of Delegates relating to long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. This bill allows a physician to prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotic therapy to a patient diagnosed with Lyme or tick-borne disease.

Press Release: Lyme Hearings - SPOTLIGHT ON HIDDEN EPIDEMIC

What happens if a tick borne illness is missed, or left untreated? Millions of patients say they suffer from chronic (or long term) Lyme disease. But gatekeepers in the medical community refuse to recognize illness.

Lyme Ribbon Campaign for IDSA Hearings

The Lime green ribbons represent the hidden epidemic of Lyme disease. Lime green ribbons will be tied around "the old oak tree," on fences and posts all over Washington, D.C. and other cities around the world on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 to spotlight an historic hearing the next day to review the controversial Lyme disease treatment guidelines.

Press Release: NatCapLyme Board Meets With CDC Representatives

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.

Press Release: GMU Helps Lyme Disease Victims Unite for Change

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.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING A GREAT SUCCESS.... STANDING ROOM ONLY!

The Capitol Hill Lyme disease briefing yesterday was an enormous success by all accounts. More than 100 people attended the briefing, of which at least 80 represented offices of senators and representatives. Many put aside their lunch to take notes.

PRESS RELEASE: NatCapLyme To Sponsor Briefing, Luncheon For Members of Congress

The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association will sponsor an educational briefing and luncheon for Members of Congress and their staffs regarding Lyme and tick-borne diseases on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 385 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

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