Awareness, Education & Legislation!!

2012 has been a defining year for Lyme Disease advocacy, especially official awareness of Lyme as a very serious and ever-growing epidemic that is both a threat to public health and a significant burden, not just on those infected and their loved ones, but also on our healthcare system and economy.

Currently the Lyme community is abuzz with talk of Lyme Disease legislation, in particular Senate Bill S. 1381, the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act written by Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut that "provides for the expansion of Federal efforts concerning the prevention, education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee", which is slowly working it’s way through the political system and has been gaining support throughout the year.

However, even with all of this growing acknowledgement and awareness there is still a desperate need for individuals to stand up and let their voices be heard because without public outcry and continued outreach to our leaders and representatives change is only an idea!

If we want to live in a country where people suffering from tick-borne diseases are treated with respect and provided access to proper diagnosis and treatment we must not relent in our battle for recognition!

Constituents must contact their representatives ask for their support to help push Lyme legislation along and must continue to do so until someone contacts you back or at least attempts to start a dialog about this very important and very timely issue.

We must reach out to our leaders and demand they take a stand for patient equality, better funding for research and promote consistent and accurate education for the public, the medical establishment and government bodies nationwide, both at the state and federal level!

We must be the change we want to see in the world!!