Focus – Opinions and Features

Mira Shapiro gave the following public comment at the November 21 meeting of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is Mira Shapiro. I am a chronic Lyme disease patient, biostatistician, and real world data... Read More »

Paul Owen gave the following public comments to the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group on November 21, 2022. Thank you for having me today and thank you for hearing my story. I am a father, husband, friend, voter in Ohio, software executive, former NCAA sprinter turned... Read More »

By Fred Diamond Being successful in any career when you have a chronic illness, such as Lyme disease, is a challenge. Performing at a high level of excellence is even more of a challenge. On my Sales Game Changers Podcast, I frequently interview people who have achieved sales or... Read More »

By Kris Newby “Swamp Boy” tells the tale of a bright 14-year-old boy who suddenly hears demonic voices and experiences sudden-onset psychosis. He thinks he’s turning into Swamp Thing, a green, plant-covered monster. The story follows his parent’s hellish journey into the medical... Read More »

Cortney McCord delivered the following public comment at the Oct. 25 meeting of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. I’m Cortney McCord, a registered nurse from Tupelo, Mississippi. Since May 8, 2021, I have been in a battle for my life against alpha-gal syndrome, Lyme... Read More »

Typically, alpha-gal syndrome is associated with the bite of a lone star tick, and can result in a life-threatening allergy to red meat. But, according to Pamela Traina, the picture can be more complicated than that. She delivered the following public comments at the Oct. 25... Read More »

Holly Ahern delivered the following public comments to the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group on October 25. Let me begin by saying thank you to all committee and subcommittee members of the Tick-borne Disease Working Group, who have invested enormous amounts of time and... Read More »

By Kris Newby, Invisible International Donating the tissues of a loved one who dies of Lyme disease is one of the best ways to accelerate research into better diagnostics and treatments for tick-borne diseases, because sample acquisition is often the most expensive and... Read More »

By Richard Harth Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University A nature lover from early childhood, Karie Behm found peace and renewal through hiking and cross-country running. She spent much of her time exploring the forested terrain of her native Kansas, as well as Minnesota... Read More »