May 26, 2020
Annapolis, MD
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed May as Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Month
With summer fast approaching and people spending more time outdoors, it is important for everyone to learn about, and take precautions against tick-borne diseases.
In the United States, tick-borne disease accounts for the majority of vector-borne infections reported each year. In 2018, nearly 1,400 cases of Lyme disease were reported in the state of Maryland. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) recognizes the public health impact of tick-borne disease and encourages Maryland residents to learn how to protect themselves, their family, and their pets from tick bites.
The National Capital Lyme Disease Association (NatCapLyme) is grateful to Governor Hogan and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene along with local health departments, healthcare providers, veterinarians, community organizations and advocacy groups for their continued commitment to raise awareness about Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Read moreApril 27, 2020
Washington, DC
Susan R. Green, Esq, who serves as legislative counsel to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association, provided public comments at the 13th meeting (held via a webcast) of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) on Monday, April 27, 2020.
Ms. Green’s comments were formulated based on the Right to Try bill signed into legislation on May 30, 2018. Specifically, she draws attention to access to care and the removal of the impediment that patients face in obtaining the Right to Try medications and protocols that may be life-saving or life altering for the treatment of Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Ms. Green stated to the TBWDG, “I ask this committee to unfetter the hands of these doctors who are on the front lines of battling Lyme and tick-borne diseases trying to find a treatment to help these very sick and abandoned patients.”
Read moreJanuary 29, 2020
Washington, DC
Gregg P. Skall, Esq, who serves as legal counsel to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association, provided public comments at the 11th meeting of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. Mr. Skall’s presentation focused the December 2019 signing of the Kay Hagan Tick Act. Mr. Skall asked the TBWDG, “Should this funding be appropriated, the important question here is “Who will get the money? Especially, since the legislative funding language was changed from “tick-borne” to “vector-borne” disease during the legislative process.” Mr. Skall further asked, “How much will be siphoned away from tick-borne disease to less common but more publicized vector diseases associated with mosquitoes?” Mr. Skall also stated that NatCapLyme believes that future research funding should include patients with the PERSISTENT form of the disease given that these patients are at the heart of the Lyme controversy!
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Dr. Richard Horowitz, one of the country’s prominent Lyme and tick-borne disease specialists, recently made a presentation to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association. The title of his presentation was: Precision Medicine for Chronic Lyme and Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome (MSIDS).
- Richard Horowitz, M.D. at Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center
We hope you enjoyed watching the recently released Tick Check 1-2 rap video created by Andy Lima, also known as MC Bugg-Z, a biologist with the Fairfax County Virginia Health Department. Our very own Veronica Hohenstein interviews Andy as he chronicles the making of this video as well as explains the tremendous need for a video to reach young viewers on tick-borne disease prevention. Please click the camera icon to watch this informational, as well as fun, interview in which Andy closes with a spontaneous rap.
- Andy Lima (a.k.a. MC Bugg-Z), Tick and Mosquito Biologist at Fairfax County Health Department
On December 11, 2017, Gregg P. Skall was asked to present the keynote address to HHS’s inaugural TBD Working Group in Washington, DC. Mr. Skall has been the pro bono counsel for the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association. For these past 20 years, Mr. Skall has passionately advocated for the acknowledgement of Lyme and tick-borne diseases and for the advancement of treatment.
- Gregg P. Skall, General Counsel at NatCapLyme
Dr. Samuel M. Shor, M.D. recently made a presentation to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association providing an update on the clinical research he is conducting with Ceres Nanosciences, a Northern Virginian based biotechnology company.
- Samuel M. Shor, M.D. at Internal Medicine of Northern Virginia
Dr. Neil Spector, M.D. recently presented to the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association. The title of his talk was: Analogies between Lyme Borreliosis and Cancer Biology: Therapeutic Implications. His work focuses on the molecular and immunobiology of cancer, which could also lead to a paradigm shift in treatment to a new generation of targeted and immunotherapies to battle Lyme and its co-infections.
- Neil Spector, M.D., Sandra Coates Associate Professor of Medicine; Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University School of Medicine
Dr. Ying Zhang, M.D. recently presented to the membership of the National Capital Lyme Disease Association and the public-at-large at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC. His informative presentation titled, “Drugs Targeting Borrelia Persisters: Implications for Improved Treatment of Persistent Lyme Disease,” was well received by the audience.
- Ying Zhang, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Welcome to NatCapLyme’s new website, which was designed to bring updated information and new insights about Lyme and tick-borne diseases to our membership and the public at-large.
- Monte Skall, Executive Director at National Capital Lyme Disease Association
For almost 20 years, NatCapLyme has been a nationally known advocate for the recognition of tick-borne diseases and for the acknowledgment of the people who suffer from these diseases.
Read moreSince its inception, NatCapLyme has provided support group meetings to Lyme sufferers and their families.
Read moreNatCapLyme authored and petitioned for the passage of the Lyme Disease Testing Information Disclosure Act of 2013, and in 2016, the State of Maryland passed the Lyme Disease-Laboratory Test-Required Notice bill.
Read moreNatCapLyme participated in the creation of a newly formed organization called Partners Against Lyme and Tick Associated Diseases (PALtad). This organization was founded to advocate for and protect the rights of patients suffering from tick-borne diseases.
Read moreAs one element of our public awareness campaign, NatCapLyme created a new series of highly acclaimed educational print materials on Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Read moreNatCapLyme participated as a panel member on numerous Virginia and Maryland Task Forces, which focused on Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Read moreNatCapLyme was a participant in the Institute of Medicine’s scientific workshop and represented the patient community on a summation panel presenting the patient’s perspective on current gaps in the science and research of tick-borne diseases.
Read moreIn anticipation of the IDSA’s Lyme treatment guideline review hearing at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington D.C., NatCapLyme created an awareness campaign using lime green ribbons placed on two of the main thoroughfares entering Washington D.C.
Read moreNatCapLyme held a Congressional luncheon briefing for members of Congress and staff on Lyme and tick-borne diseases. All 535 House and Senate members were invited.
Read moreNatCapLyme engages in a variety of fundraising efforts to accomplish its mission and work on behalf of individuals with tick-borne illnesses.
Read moreNational Capital Lyme Disease Association
P.O. Box 8211
McLean, VA 22106-8211
NatCapLyme has suspended in-person support group meetings resulting from the global Coronavirus pandemic for the time being.
We will resume meetings once it is safe to do so for our community.
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