Written by Sabra Creative on January 14, 2013
A new bill, introduced in the Virginia State Senate by Dick Black, Senator, 13th District and in the House of Delegates by Barbara Comstock, Delegate, 34th District proposes to ensure that Virginia residents are adequately educated and informed of the limitations in the existing serologic tests used to detect Lyme disease.
Written by Sabra Creative on September 24, 2012
This year’s event raised over $45,000 to help combat Lyme and tick-borne disease through education and research. Awards were presented to Steve Gotschi, president of DryHome, and event organizer and race director Barbara Balduman for their commitment to broadening Lyme and tick-borne disease awareness in Virginia.
Written by Sabra Creative on June 7, 2011
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. 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.
Written by Sabra Creative on April 22, 2011
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.”
Written by Sabra Creative on April 22, 2011
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.
Written by Sabra Creative on April 15, 2011
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. Residents from five regions of the state told their personal stories of frustration and loss to the Task Force in March, and many common themes emerged that urgently need solutions.
Written by Sabra Creative on January 6, 2011
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.
Written by Sabra Creative on December 1, 2010
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. In addition, the Task Force seeks ways to increase awareness of this devastating disease to aid Virginia residents and medical practitioners.
Written by Sabra Creative on September 23, 2010
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. While we have our own reservations, we are working hard to improve the agenda.
Written by Sabra Creative on January 19, 2010
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.
