Lyme Disease Resource Center, Inc.
37 Bridge St. #171 Northampton, MA 01061
413-588-7388 [email protected]
April 25, 2024
From the desk of the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
As spring begins to arrive here in Western Massachusetts, I find myself thinking about the challenges of navigating Chronic Lyme, medical treatments and finding support. As I face my own challenges around these things, I have found it essential to take time to recharge in the fresh air, appreciating blooming flowers and bird songs of spring. As we step out into nature, we connect with something greater than ourselves, an important part of healing.
May is Lyme Awareness Month, a busy time for the LDRC! Our yearly fundraiser starts May 1 through 31st. We are excited to have a booth at the Hampshire Pride Parade in Northampton, MA, May 4, 11am-6pm – our first in-person event since the pandemic. If you’re local to the Northampton area, stop by Booth 99 to say hi!
Our online educational events continue with some fantastic guests joining us over the next few months and our monthly Saturday and Wednesday support groups are going strong. Join our mailing list so you don’t miss any events.
I am so grateful to the donors, volunteers and board members that make our free programs possible. We now have volunteers and board members from across the country. Check out our openings here: https://www.lymedrc.org/get-involved to join us in this work. Offering as little an hour a month helps us support the many new clients who contact us daily.
Warm Regards,
Maria Malaguti, Executive Director, Vice President
Lyme Disease Resource Center, Inc.
From the President of the Board
Hello friends,
It is a privilege to announce my recent appointment as President of the Board of Directors for the Lyme Disease Resource Center. I joined the board in May of 2023 and am enjoying learning and being actively involved with the LDRC in support of its mission to be a peer guided, supportive, and safe place for those living with Lyme Disease and their care partners.
I have personal experience with Lyme Disease, and I am currently a director at a non-profit organization with over 10 years of experience in assisting children with disabilities and their families. When I found out about the LDRC, it felt like a great opportunity to join the board and offer my skills to support you, our clients, and assist this important organization.
As I step into this new role, I would like to thank our Board of Directors, our Executive Director, Maria Malaguti, and our volunteer staff for their many contributions and achievements on behalf of the LDRC and its members.
As Maria mentioned in her letter, May is our Lyme Awareness month fundraiser, and we can really use your support. Donations of any size help us continue to offer our free support groups, educational programming, peer counseling, and holistic therapies. Please let your family and friends know about the LDRC.
Know that you are not alone on this journey! We are here to work in partnership with you. I invite you to share your ideas, thoughts, and feedback with us. I look forward to hearing from you, and to seeing you at our upcoming meetings and events.
Warm regards,
Alison Wisher
President
LDRC News and Updates
LDRC is at Hampshire Pride
Downtown Northampton, MA
May 4
Parade starts at 11am, festival goes until 6pm
Visit us at booth 99 behind Thornes Market Place.
We still need volunteers! Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to help out.
Details about Hampshire Pride 2024: https://www.hampshirepridema.com
Practitioner Presentation Series
Check out the details for each of these events and register at: https://www.lymedrc.org/events/
Working in the Lyme & Tick-borne diseases ‘space’: A Conversation with Dr. Kenneth B. Liegner and Family Nurse Practitioner Erica Glazer
May 7, 6:30pm
Via Zoom
Register here.
Science of Tick-Borne Pathogens and Testing: A Conversation with Paul Killinger of TickReport
June 12, 6:30pm
Via Zoom
Register here.
Support Groups
Monthly Saturday Lyme Support Group
May 5 (Note: This month is a Sunday due to schedule conflict with Pride Event)
4:30-6:00pm
Register here.
A facilitated discussion for those with Lyme or other chronic illnesses, to create connection, with the intention of moving towards wellness.
All are welcome including any persons supporting those with Lyme or chronic illness.
3rd Wednesdays: Chronic Illness Support and Wellness Group
May 15
1:00-2:30pm
Register here.
Strategies and resources for living well with tick-borne illness. All are welcome including any persons supporting those with Lyme or tick borne illness.
Lyme in the News:
Potential new treatment path for persistent Lyme disease?
“Tulane University researchers have identified a promising new approach to treating persistent neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease, offering hope to patients who suffer from long-term effects of the bacterial infection, even after antibiotic treatment.”
Read the full article at: https://www.lymedisease.org/new-treatment-path-persistent-lyme/
First-of-its-kind study on how Lyme impacts pregnancy and infant development
“Understanding the effects of Lyme disease on the developing fetal brain is essential to ensure timely prenatal and postnatal treatments to protect the fetus and newborn.”
Read the full article at: https://www.lymedisease.org/how-lyme-impacts-pregnancy/
Conferences & Meetings:
Healing from Lyme Disease Summit: A Week-Long Virtual Journey Toward Wellness and Empowerment
June 4-10, 2024
Free, Virtual event
Join Leading Experts Myriah Hinchey, ND, FMAPS, and Richard Horowitz, MD, for an Insightful Exploration of Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases.
For more details go to: https://lymediseaseassociation.org/event/healing-from-lyme-disease-summit-a-week-long-virtual-journey-toward-wellness-and-empowerment/
2024 LymeBytes™ Symposium
October 25-26, 2024
Mystic, Connecticut
The Lyme Disease Conference that instills HOPE and promotes HEALING for those affected by chronic, complex inflammatory conditions.
This unique gathering connects medical practitioners, patients, industry experts, and non-profit organizations with cutting-edge education from leading expert Lyme physicians.
For more details go to: https://shop.lymebytes.com/
25th Annual ILADS Scientific Conference
November 7-10, 2024
San Antonio, TX
The theme of this year’s conference is “Redefining Lyme Disease: The Fusion of Science and Practice.”
For more details go to: https://www.ilads.org/events/
Remove Ticks Safely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9EBOV5GCRk&feature=youtu.be
Your donation helps us offer free programing and services.
Mail a check:
“Lyme Disease Resource Center, Inc.”
PO Box 171, Northampton, MA 01061
Give online: Donate
Get Involved:
The LDRC relies on volunteers to keep us going.
Find out more about how you can help here:
https://www.lymedrc.org/about/volunteer