Approaching December Deadline for Those With Lyme Disease Needing Financial Help

October 31, 2019

https://lymelightfoundation.org/grants/

Grants

 Who is eligible?

  • Anyone diagnosed with Lyme disease through age 25 and can demonstrate a qualified financial need.
  • Applicant must be an active patient of a US-based Lyme-literate MD, ND, DO, PA-C, or NP. NDs must have graduated from a CNME accreditedinstitution. All practitioners must have prescribing rights in their state of practice.
  • Must be a USA resident.

Upcoming Application Deadlines

Be sure to apply early so we can ensure your application is complete before the deadline. 

  • Deadline: April 26, 2019, Notification: June 21, 2019
  • Deadline: August 23, 2019, Notification: October 18, 2019
  • Deadline: December 13, 2019, Notification: February 21, 2020

All parts of the application and supporting letters must be received by the deadline date in order to be considered. LymeLight Foundation distributes grants 3 times a year.

Amount of Grant

Grants are awarded in incremental amounts. The lifetime maximum amount of a grant is $10,000 per individual or $30,000 per family.

Questions about grants can be emailed to grants@lymelightfoundation.org  Please see the below list of FAQs which may answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

What expenses does a grant cover?

A grant covers expenses relating to the treatment of Lyme disease. This includes medication, supplements, doctor visits, lab testing, alternative practitioners such as Acupuncturists and Chiropractors, and transportation to and from the out of area doctor or lab. Grants may not be used for education expenses or Lyme treatment for anyone other than the grant recipient (i.e. parents or friends). Grants may not be used for past medical debt, food, rent or mortgage expenses.

What is the maximum grant? How does the incremental funding work?

The lifetime maximum grant is $10,000 per individual or $30,000 per family. LymeLight provides an initial, smaller grant in order to partner with the grant recipient. LymeLight must receive the appropriate feedback before additional funding is considered. Each recipient is required to verify use of funds and to complete the grant feedback form and then is eligible to re-apply for additional funding.

Application Questions

How does the application process work?

LymeLight Foundation uses an online application system. To apply you must submit an application form, doctor’s letter and letters of support. You will be notified of the decision via email and the decision will also be posted to your account.

I have more than one child struggling with Lyme, how do I apply?

Each family is required to use the same account with the same login and password. However, a separate application and doctor letter is required for each child applying. IMPORTANT: Do NOT create a new Account for each family member. Parents may complete the application for their children. If awarded a grant we require each child to have his or her own pledge form, feedback form and submission of receipts.

What is required for the doctor’s letter?

LymeLight Foundation will determine medical eligibility with the help of the applicant’s treating US physician. The doctor’s letter must meet the following requirements:

  • Addressed to LymeLight Foundation
  • Written on the doctor’s letterhead
  • Signed by the doctor
  • Confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease
  • State applicant’s name, date of birth and provide a brief case history
  • It is helpful to have the doctor speak to the financial need

A positive lab test does not replace the need for a doctor letter. A treating physician is defined as a Lyme-literate MD, ND, DO, PA-C or NP. NDs must be have graduated from a CNME accredited institution. The grant application is not complete and eligible for consideration by the Board of Directors until LymeLight receives the doctor’s letter. The doctor’s letter is valid for 2 years.

Should I check in with LymeLight while my grant application is in process?

We will send you email notifications when we have received your application, doctor letter, letters of support and a final email when your application is complete. You may login at any time to view your account and check the status of your application and see any remaining tasks that are due.

How will I know if I will be awarded a grant?

LymeLight Foundation will email each applicant after the board meeting with a decision. The decision will also be posted to the applicant’s online account. The notification will occur approximately 2 months after the application deadline. Your patience is appreciated.

After Decision

I have been put on the waitlist, now what?

To be reconsidered at future board meetings, you must fill out the waitlist update by logging in below. We encourage you to provide updates as to your status and current need. You may provide more details on your financial situation, current medical needs or any new obstacle that we may not be aware of. Please share anything you think we should know. Your application will stay active for one year. At that point you can apply again if still eligible.

What happens when a grant is awarded?

If you are selected for a grant, it is required that you sign an online pledge form committing to provide feedback and verifying the use of funds. We require the submission of receipts used for treatment. We also want to learn more about you and your Lyme journey. It may be used as a Story of Hope on our website. We will be interested to learn how your treatment grant affected your healing. We will contact you if we are ready to share it online to ensure this does not present a problem.  Please also send photos. We appreciate frequent communication. Please send communication to grants@lymelightfoundation.org.

Do I need to use all my funds before giving feedback and asking for an additional grant?

You do not need to use all your funds before applying for an additional grant. We recommend at least half of your initial grant funds be spent before you re-apply. However, we realize that grant recipients need financial visibility when making ongoing treatment choices and medical appointments. We also recognize that treatment disruptions are not beneficial. If you are re-applying before the majority of funds are spent please provide a plan for the remaining funds on the re-application form.

Applying for a Grant

 

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Lyme Disease is an Emergency. Instead of Feeding the Hype, We Must Support the Science

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/lyme-disease-emergency-instead-feeding-hype-we-must-support-science-ncna1062611  Go here for full article

Lyme Disease is an Emergency. Instead of Feeding the Hype, We must Support the Science.

The controversy may be low-hanging fruit, but what we really need to focus on is a motherlode of hopeful research shining new light on the disease.

Oct. 7, 2019

By Pamela Weintraub, health and psychology editor, Aeon
The fight over Lyme disease is one of the hottest topics in medicine right now. Is Lyme underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed? Easily detected with current tests, or often missed? Cured with a 30-day supply of doxycycline or immortal, impossible to treat no matter what? These polarized debates have fueled a series of articles and trend pieces. But as a science journalist covering the epidemic for 20 years, I’ve found the hype can cause confusion. The controversy may be low-hanging fruit, but what we really need to focus on is the motherlode of hopeful research shining new light on the disease.
__________________
**Comment**
I appreciate Weintrabu’s intent, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Much of the science on Lyme/MSIDS has been done by a white coat wearing Cabal whom have rife conflicts of interests. ConflictReport
For instance, I can not support tick research with the moniker of “climate change” due to the fact ticks have been proven to be marvelously ecoadaptive – and quite able to survive armageddon. You may not feel this important; however, if you saw the number of research articles crossing my desk on a daily basis with the climate change agenda behind it you would appreciate the shear number and amount of dollars going to research that according to independent tick researcher John Scott is a “red herring,” and is a complete ruse designed to get the focus on anything but the real issues surrounding this debacle:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/08/13/study-shows-lyme-not-propelled-by-climate-change/

“I’m an independent researcher,” he tells me. “I can go in any direction I want and, therefore, I haven’t got flawed science. I can move in any direction and not be blocked. That’s the way it should be. If I were tied in with an institution, my work would be influenced and manipulated.“John explains, “The climate change range expansion model is what the authorities have been using to rationalize how they have done nothing for more than thirty years. It’s a huge cover-up scheme that goes back to the 1980’s. The grandiose scheme was a nefarious plot to let doctors off the hook from having to deal with this debilitating disease. I caught onto it very quickly. Most people have been victims of it ever since.”

“This climate change ‘theory’ is all part of a well-planned scheme. Even the ticks are smarter than the people who’ve concocted this thing,” he says.

“Climate change has nothing to do with tick movement. Blacklegged ticks are ecoadaptive, and tolerate wide temperature fluctuations. On hot summer days, these ticks descend into the cool, moist leaf litter and rehydrate. In winter, they descend into the leaf litter, and are comfortable under an insulating blanket of snow. Ticks have antifreeze-like compounds in their bodies, and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. For instance, at Kenora, Ontario, the air temperature peaks at 36°C and dips to –44°C, and blacklegged ticks survive successfully.

He’s even called out officials doing biased research:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/06/17/ontario-public-health-officials-called-out-on-shoddy-biased-research-utilizing-an-erroneous-climate-change-model-to-program-a-futuristic-tick-problem/Yet, you never hear Scott’s name in the “important: circles due to the fact he purposely stays independent.
Until researchers are allowed to truly investigate things without strings being attached to the money, we will never be told the truth.
I will only support researchers who are doing transparent work and are willing to go against the accepted narrative, and trust me, those researchers are few and far between.

 

 

 

Category:

Lyme

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Brain Illness Spread by Ticks Has Reached UK

https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-50206382

Brain illness spread by ticks has reached UK

By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online

_109428589_gettyimages-1076602744
Image copyright GETTY IMAGES Tick

An infectious disease that can harm the brain and is spread to people by tick bites has been identified in ticks in the UK for the first time.

Public Health England (PHE) says it has confirmed cases of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks from two parts of England – Thetford Forest and an area on the Hampshire-Dorset border.

PHE says the risk to people is still “very low”.

It is monitoring the situation to check how common the infected ticks may be.

What is it?

A tick is a tiny, spider-like creature that lives in undergrowth and on animals, including deer and dogs.

People who spend time walking in countryside areas where infected ticks can be found are at risk of being bitten and catching diseases they carry.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus is already circulating in mainland Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Asia.

Evidence now shows it has reached the UK.

How it got here is less clear. Experts say infected ticks may have hitched a ride on migratory birds.

Earlier this year, a European visitor, who has since recovered, became ill after being bitten by a tick while in the New Forest area, Public Health England says.

Further investigations revealed infected ticks were present in two locations in England.

Should I worry?

Ticks are becoming more common across many parts of the UK, largely due to increasing deer numbers. Being bitten by one doesn’t necessarily mean you will get sick.

Dr Nick Phin, from Public Health England, said:

”These are early research findings and indicate the need for further work. However, the risk to the general public is currently assessed to be very low.”

Most people who catch the virus will have no or only mild flu-like symptoms. But the disease can progress to affect the brain and central nervous system and can sometimes be fatal.

Ticks can also carry other diseases that can make people ill including Lyme disease.

Dr Phin said:

“We are reminding people to be ‘tick aware’ and take tick precautions, particularly when visiting or working in areas with long grass such as woodlands, moorlands and parks.”

What should I do?

  • To reduce the risk of being bitten, cover your skin, tuck your trousers into your socks, use insect repellent and stick to paths
  • If you are bitten, remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool found in chemists
  • Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
  • You should go to your GP if you think you may have been bitten by a tick in the past month and develop flu-like symptoms or a circular red rash
    Ticks feed on the blood of animals and people.

They cannot jump or fly but live in vegetation and wait for a passing animal or human to climb on to.

__________________

**Comment**

They can’t jump or fly but they can BLOW IN THE WIND.  One advocate told me ticks blew into her swimming pool. I’ve had others tell me they somehow blow or drop from trees onto clothes on laundry lines.  Tick researchers are often so myopic in their work they don’t believe real life stories of people.  It’s truly a shame as people are being bitten in ways they are told is impossible, yet it’s happening all the time and is far from rare.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/29/czechs-record-most-tick-borne-encephalitis-cases-in-entire-eu/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/10/30/tick-borne-encephalitis-found-in-serbian-dogs-horses-wild-boar-and-roe-deer/

Here in the U.S. Powassan Virus is mainly responsible for encephalitis; however, this stuff is moving around unabated.  It is underreported and has caused numerous deaths.  

For more on Powassan:   https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/02/21/powassan-virus/

It recently killed a former U.S. Senator:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/10/29/former-u-s-senator-dies-of-powassan-virus/

Coppe Lab out of Wisconsin emphatically states Powassan is NOT rare:

http://www.coppelabs.com/blog/why-is-powassan-virus-infection-still-described-as-rare-and-mysterious/  Please read the following excerpt by Coppe Lab here in Wisconsin,

For the last two years, Coppe Laboratories has dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to dispelling the myth that infection with Powassan virus, a virus transmitted by tick bite, is rare. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) reports only 100 cases of Powassan virus infection in the United States in the last 10 years. Indeed, that statistic gives the illusion that Powassan infection is rare. However, did you know that the only infections reported to CDC are those that are life-threatening, particularly cases causing severe inflammation of the brain like the case reported in LiveScience? Coppe has published three new papers in the last year that clearly show Powassan virus infection is not rare are at all,and until testing for this virus is included as part of tick-borne disease screening panels infections will continue to be underreported. Coppe’s Powassan Guide, which can be downloaded from the website, summarizes the findings from both tick and human Powassan prevalence studies, as well as defining the patient populations that would benefit most from Powassan testing.

 

 

Category:

Ticks, Viruses

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Center For Lyme Launches to Lobby Congress For More Research, Treatment Options

https://triblive.com/news/world/center-for-lyme-launches-to-lobby-congress-for-more-research-treatment-options/

Center for Lyme launches to lobby Congress for more research, treatment options

Patrick Varine
PATRICK VARINE

1853820_web1_ptr-lymedisease-091018

SUBMITTED PHOTO/CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick, a carrier of Lyme disease.
A new nonprofit launched this week will focus on lobbying Congress to expand funding for the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools for battling Lyme disease.

The Center for Lyme Action launched on Tuesday in addition to hosting a congressional forum with lawmakers from Minnesota, New Jersey and California, along with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who gave a keynote address via video.

“The incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases has exploded over the past 15 years,” Collins said in her video statement. “The TICK Act that I authored would apply a three-pronged public health approach to address Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses, establishing a national effort and providing much-needed investments to help slow the spread of these devastating diseases and better protect the health of more Americans.”

Lyme disease is the fastest-growing vector-borne illness in the United States, and Pennsylvania ranks first in the nation when it comes to Lyme cases.

The National Institute of Health earlier this month released a “Strategic Plan for Tick-borne Disease Research” to address the rising incidence of tick-borne disease and better understand the complex interplay between host, tick, and pathogens.

The number of reported cases more than doubled from 2004 to 2016, according to NIH data.

The plan’s five main priorities are:

• Improve the fundamental knowledge about tick-borne diseases;

• Advance research to improve the diagnosis of such diseases;

• Accelerate research to improve their prevention;

• Promote research to improve treatment of all tick-borne diseases;

• Support tools and resources to advance all of the above goals.

“Lyme is a frustrating and debilitating disease, but it’s a problem we can solve,” said Center for Lyme Action co-found Bonnie Crater. “What is needed is dedicated and sustained funding to research and commercialize a better way to diagnosis and treat this growing public health threat.”

Below, hear Bell Township resident Amy Wiester’s story of dealing with nearly a lifetime of Lyme disease’s effects.

Crater said the NIH report is a positive development given that NIH funding has been in decline for many years. In 2000, the NIH budget for Lyme was $2,117 per patient compared to $700 per patient in 2018, according to Crater.

Similar legislation in the House has the goal of creating a national strategy to address Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick at 724-850-2862, pvarine@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

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Activism, Lyme, Uncategorized

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Despite Lyme Insurance Law, Some MA patients Can’t Get Coverage

October 30, 2019

https://www.lymedisease.org/ma-lyme-insurance-coverage/  News Video within Link

Despite Lyme insurance law, some MA patients can’t get coverage

MA Lyme insurance law ignored

In 2016, Massachusetts passed a law mandating insurance coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease.

According to Boston 25 News reporter Ted Daniel, some patients are being denied that kind of coverage.

The Massachusetts Office of Patient Protection says since the law took effect, there have been three state-level external appeals for denials of long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease.

All were with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

The insurance company says they’re just following the rules, but the people who wrote the law say they’re not.

As one interviewee put it,

“Unfortunately, Blue Cross is pretending the law didn’t pass in Massachusetts.”

__________________

**Comment**

I’ve also heard that “doctor protection” bills aren’t being followed either, in fact, Lyme literate doctors in those states have been put under intense scrutiny for their treatment of Lyme/MSIDS.

What kind of nation are we when the rule of law no longer means anything?

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Activism, Lyme, Treatment

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