Hope For Lyme Sufferers
In Desperate Need of Lyme Treating Doctors
MY EASTERN SHORE MD
Letter to the Editor In desperate need of doctors to treat chronic Lyme disease
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Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:00 am
Volunteer patient advocates have been educating Maryland residents about Lyme and tick-borne diseases for the past 25 years.
We are struggling to keep up with the exploding epidemic (70 new cases of Lyme per day in Maryland) and do so without assistance or funding from government agencies. I am writing today to ask our neighbors for assistance.
Over the years, the one question most frequently asked of our volunteers has always been, "Where can I find a doctor who knows about Lyme disease?"
Unfortunately, the few Maryland doctors treating chronically ill Lyme patients are booked to capacity and have long waiting lists. Maryland is in desperate need of more health care professionals who are able to properly diagnose and treat Lyme and tick borne diseases, in all stages of the disease process.
You can help our efforts by encouraging your health care professionals to become "Lyme-literate." You never know when you will need help with Lyme disease, for either yourself, your friends or your family members.
Fortunately, this year the National and International Lyme and Tick Borne Disease Conferences are being held close-by, in National Harbor, Md., on Oct. 23-25. First time attendees [health care professionals] can apply for a grant to help defray expenses, if needed. Eligible attendees can also receive up to 18.75 CME credits.
For more information and to register, please contact the national Lyme Disease Association www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society www.ILADS.org.
In the meantime, to our Eastern Shore residents and neighbors, thank you for helping us help you! And don't forget, do a tick check!
Lucy Barnes
@EditLettertitle:Director, Lyme Disease Education and Support Groups of Maryland
631 Railroad Avenue
Centreville, MD 21617