Australia in the Worldwide Lyme Awareness Protest
The World Unites for Lyme
On the 10th and 11th of May 2013, over 50 Lyme disease/borreliosis protests and awareness events will take place in over 25 countries around the world - including Australia - to highlight Lyme and other tick-borne infections as serious diseases that require the urgent attention of governments and the medical community.
On the 10th and 11th of May 2013, over 50 Lyme disease/borreliosis protests and awareness events will take place in over 25 countries around the world - including Australia - to highlight Lyme and other tick-borne infections as serious diseases that require the urgent attention of governments and the medical community.
The current situation - insufficient awareness by the broader medical community of the clinical diagnostic signs, a lack of up to date research on adequate testing methods and appropriate treatment for both acute and chronic Lyme – is unfortunately one that is faced by Lyme patients around the globe. Activism efforts for recognition and awareness have been ongoing for many years in a number of countries. That people from all these countries would join together to present a united International front seemed the next logical step.
This occurred on the 31st of October, 2012, when the ‘parent’ “Worldwide Lyme Protest” Facebook page was established by Swedish activist and Lyme patient, Charlotte Therese Björnström, to gauge interest from other countries. The response was immediate, and by April 2013, 28 countries had pledged involvement.
This commitment, gained from people who are separated by thousands of kilometres, but united by their chronic illness, is testament to the passion of the Lyme community in gaining recognition for their illness.
Australia Joins the Cause
Australia was signed up for participation by Lyme patient and advocate Karen Smith on the 3rd of November 2012, making it the 8th country to join the event. After congratulating Australia on its involvement, fellow Lyme patient Janice Foster’s enthusiasm was quickly embraced, and she was invited to join Karen as a national co-ordinator.
Around Australia many people volunteered their time for this cause, resulting in over a dozen large events planned in six states, as well as numerous smaller awareness events.
In February 2013, Sharon Whiteman, President of the Lyme Disease Association of Australia (LDAA) was approached for involvement. The LDAA committee promptly confirmed support, and provided invaluable assistance through activity such as the co-creation and funding of Lyme awareness pamphlets and posters for the events.
Why Australia is Participating
We, the Lyme community of Australia, are involved in the Worldwide Lyme Protest to highlight the fact that further research is urgently required.
Since the early 80’s there have been thousands of suspected clinical cases of Lyme disease in Australia, and many people who have never left the country are battling Lyme. These sick people – and those who have contracted the illness overseas – are regularly denied accurate diagnostic measures, adequate treatment, and support from the healthcare sector, who are largely reliant on government guidance.
It is time for the governments to stop relying on ONE study that is nearly twenty years old to continue denying the existence of Lyme disease in Australia. It is time to stop ignoring all the other research that does indicate that Lyme is in Australia. It is well and truly time to recognise Lyme.
Please join us to say, enough is enough!
This occurred on the 31st of October, 2012, when the ‘parent’ “Worldwide Lyme Protest” Facebook page was established by Swedish activist and Lyme patient, Charlotte Therese Björnström, to gauge interest from other countries. The response was immediate, and by April 2013, 28 countries had pledged involvement.
This commitment, gained from people who are separated by thousands of kilometres, but united by their chronic illness, is testament to the passion of the Lyme community in gaining recognition for their illness.
Australia Joins the Cause
Australia was signed up for participation by Lyme patient and advocate Karen Smith on the 3rd of November 2012, making it the 8th country to join the event. After congratulating Australia on its involvement, fellow Lyme patient Janice Foster’s enthusiasm was quickly embraced, and she was invited to join Karen as a national co-ordinator.
Around Australia many people volunteered their time for this cause, resulting in over a dozen large events planned in six states, as well as numerous smaller awareness events.
In February 2013, Sharon Whiteman, President of the Lyme Disease Association of Australia (LDAA) was approached for involvement. The LDAA committee promptly confirmed support, and provided invaluable assistance through activity such as the co-creation and funding of Lyme awareness pamphlets and posters for the events.
Why Australia is Participating
We, the Lyme community of Australia, are involved in the Worldwide Lyme Protest to highlight the fact that further research is urgently required.
Since the early 80’s there have been thousands of suspected clinical cases of Lyme disease in Australia, and many people who have never left the country are battling Lyme. These sick people – and those who have contracted the illness overseas – are regularly denied accurate diagnostic measures, adequate treatment, and support from the healthcare sector, who are largely reliant on government guidance.
It is time for the governments to stop relying on ONE study that is nearly twenty years old to continue denying the existence of Lyme disease in Australia. It is time to stop ignoring all the other research that does indicate that Lyme is in Australia. It is well and truly time to recognise Lyme.
Please join us to say, enough is enough!
Australian States & Territories Participating in the Worldwide Lyme Awareness Protests May 2013
Australia's National Co-ordinators: Karen Smith and Janice Foster
We are pleased to announce that in February, the Lyme Disease Association of Australia has come on board to offer support with this event. The LDAA committed to sponsoring Lyme awareness pamphlets and posters for the 10th & 11th of May events, and to work with everyone involved in this project to ensure awareness is spread as far and wide as possible.
Lyme Disease Association Representative: Sharon Whiteman (President)
For Each of Australia's State/Territory Co-ordinators and Events: Please See Australia's Website, or click on the pages Below:
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New South Wales
NSW: Sydney : NSW Health, North Sydney Co-ordinators: Sue Sherrat, Jodie Donnelly, Janice Foster, Karen Smith NSW: North Coast : Coffs Harbour Co-ordinators: Natalie & Steve Young, Teri Houbert, Sara Walker NSW: South Coast : Bermagui Co-ordinator: Jacqui Van Teulingen NSW: South Coast: Nowra Co-ordinator: Melanie Roest Lattanzio Victoria
VIC: Melbourne: Federation Square Co-ordinators: Sue McFarlane, David and Kim Trathen, Keith Hooper, Beth Fleming |
Queensland
QLD: Brisbane : New Farm Park Co-ordinators: Rachael Robins, Greg Jervis, Zara Ward, Sharon Whiteman QLD: Far North Queensland : Cairns Co-ordinator: Tanya Chapman Tasmania
TAS: Hobart Co-ordinators: Geoff and Kate Doolan TAS: Wynyard (5th May) Co-ordinator: Chris Wilson Western Australia
WA: Perth: Cultural Centre Co-ordinators: Ailsa Burgess, Theresa Potgieter, Monika Smith, Leanne Downie |
