Join Us: Advocate Virtually with the Center for Lyme Action to Support Chronic Lyme Patients…

Have you or a loved on been affected by a Tick-borne disease?

Did you know that ticks are now widespread across all 50 states and can trigger complex and long-lasting illnesses? With nearly 500,000 cases of Lyme disease annually, the true extent of this issue is vastly underreported. Diagnosis of Lyme disease remains challenging due to unreliable tests, and effective treatment options are still lacking. Furthermore, many conventional healthcare providers lack adequate knowledge of chronic Lyme disease, resulting in a staggering misdiagnosis rate of approximately 72%. Accessing care often necessitates consulting costly specialists out-of-pocket. Shockingly, funding for Lyme disease research pales in comparison to other diseases, with just $106 allocated per patient, while diseases like West Nile ($20 K per patient) and Malaria ($160K per patient) receive significantly more resources.

The Center for Lyme Action, a bipartisan nonprofit established in 2019, unites various Lyme advocates and foundations to advocate for increased federal research funding dedicated to Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Their efforts led to the signing of the Kay Hagan Tick Act, which in 2020 resulted in a doubling of funding to $108 million. This crucial legislation enables research grants, enhances prevention and response efforts in high-risk states, and mandates the development of a national strategy to tackle tick-borne diseases.

When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, the advocacy effort transitioned to a virtual format and has continued this way ever since. Every February, advocates, or constituents, "fly in virtually" to engage in brief meetings with their State Representatives and Congressmen's office, sharing their personal stories and advocating for increased federal funding and awareness. This initiative has had a significant impact, resulting in a substantial increase of $282 million in federal funding since its inception in 2019.

This year's CLA virtual fly-in saw an impressive turnout, with 380 advocates representing 45 states. As someone who has participated for three years running, I've witnessed firsthand the growth of our home-state team's advocacy efforts for Lyme disease. Joining is simple, requiring minimal training and just a few hours of your time. I encourage you to consider participating and contribute to shaping the future of Chronic Lyme and tick-borne disease.