Let’s Stand Together and Demand Change
April 29, 2015 - May 1, 2015,
IDSA Headquarters
Arlington, VA United States
The National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association (NatCapLyme) is pleased to announce that it is both supporting and participating in the events associated with the rally organized by The Mayday Project at the headquarters of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) to advocate for changes in IDSA’s guidelines with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
As announced on March 9, IDSA released news that they are in the process of updating their Lyme guidelines. The general consensus within the Lyme advocacy community is that the current guidelines harm patients who are routinely misdiagnosed and are unable to obtain medically necessary treatment due to the restrictions imposed by the guidelines. Further, IDSA states that Lyme is easy to diagnose and simple to treat with a limited course of antibiotic, that chronic Lyme does not exist, and that long-term treatment is not warranted. Therefore, Lyme patients have expressed serious concerns that the updating of the 2009 guidelines will, as its predecessor, continue to ignore extensive scientific evidence for the existence of chronic Lyme disease.
NatCapLyme urges its members to stand alongside The Mayday Project activists to bring about the necessary changes to the standard of care for Lyme patients everywhere. Together we can change the future and make a difference in the Lyme community.
Event Details
The event will take place on the public sidewalks surrounding IDSA headquarters at 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, across the street from the Hyatt Arlington and one block from the Rosslyn Metro station.
The event begins with a Wednesday evening meet and greet and conference. The conference includes a presentation by the National Capital Lyme Disease Association on “The Necessity of Investigative Hearings.”
Rallies and demonstrations will be conducted Thursday and Friday. A group Lyme Disease Challenge is planned Thursday afternoon, with the goal of taking the largest bite out of Lyme disease yet. A candlelight vigil will be held Thursday evening to honor those who have lost their lives battling chronic Lyme disease.
Wednesday, April 29
Advocate Conference from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Rosslyn, VA
Thursday, April 30
Rally from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Candlelight vigil from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 1
Rally from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
