We thank you patients, medical providers, researchers, and advocates, for your decades of partnership, volunteer hours, sponsorships, and donations. Together, we have achieved great things, and made a significant difference in the lives of so many affected by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. It has been an honor working with you and your commitment to finding a cure since 1991. We want to give a final thank you to the unforgettable and hardworking Pat Smith, and all she has done for the Lyme and TBD community. We will truly miss our beloved friend, mentor and leader. We will carry her in ..read more

After 33 years of advocacy in the Lyme community, the Lyme Disease Association is closing its doors. LDA President, Patricia V. Smith, was the indomitable spirit of the organization and this difficult decision was made after her passing on August 17, 2024. The LDA website will officially close down on December 5, 2024. This is the end of a very long and successful era of advocacy by Pat Smith and the LDA board and team. The post A Final Goodbye & Gratitude from LDA appeared first on Lyme Disease Association ..read more

From Rep. Chris Smith's website: "My good friend and a trailblazer for Lyme Disease patients." Pat Smith's transformational, extraordinary work. The following are remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) submitted in the Congressional Record in honor of his good friend and remarkable Lyme disease advocate, Pat Smith, of Wall, New Jersey, who passed away peacefully on August 17, 2024: The post Rep. Chris Smith Press Release – Pat Smith a Trailblazer for Lyme Disease Patients appeared first on Lyme Disease Association ..read more

After difficult and heartfelt reflection, the Board of Directors has decided to close the Lyme Disease Association, Inc. (LDA) in December 2024. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past 33 years with dedication to the mission of the LDA. Our scientific advisory board, LDAnet partners, corporate sponsors, and celebrity advocates have generously collaborated with us. We thank you for your decades of partnership, volunteer hours, sponsorship, and donations. Together, we have achieved great things, and made a significant difference in the lives of so many affected by Lyme and othe ..read more

Tulane University (7.18.2024) published the article, “Could tragic case be linked to chronic infection from Lyme bacteria?” A new case study from Tulane University, published in the journal Heliyon, examines whether untreated chronic Lyme disease could have contributed to a tragic case involving substance abuse and violence. The case study focused on a 32-year-old man with a history of multiple tick bites, but delayed Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment. As his symptoms worsened, he turned to substance abuse, particularly PCP, to self-medicate. During PCP withdrawal, he committed homicide, a ..read more

LDA’s Tribute Wall & Photo Gallery is now live in memory of Pat Smith. Please consider sharing your thoughts and memories of this amazing woman!  If you do it before 8/31 your comments will be included in a printed book for Pat’s family. The post Public Tribute Comments & Photo Wall for Pat appeared first on Lyme Disease Association ..read more

The family invites you to attend A Celebration of Life at Ely Funeral Home (3316 NJ-33, Neptune, NJ) on September 7, 12-3pm, with time to share memories of Pat at 2pm. [themify_button bgcolor="gray" nofollow="no" link="https://lymediseaseassociation.org/home-page-featured/pat-smith-celebration-of-life/#funeralhome"]Funeral Home[/themify_button] [themify_button bgcolor="gray" nofollow="no" link="https://lymediseaseassociation.org/home-page-featured/pat-smith-celebration-of-life/#livestream"]Zoom Live Stream[/themify_button] [themify_button bgcolor="gray" nofollow="no" link="https://lymediseasea ..read more

It is with deep sadness and a profound sense of loss that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and long-serving President of the Lyme Disease Association Inc, Patricia V. Smith. She died peacefully on August 17, 2024, under hospice care, with her family at her bedside. Those of us fortunate to have worked closely with Pat may have started as fellow advocates, affiliates, colleagues or board members, but we quickly grew to also become her friends. We saw ourselves as her extended family and Pat always treated us as if we were. The post Tribute to Pat Smith – In Memoriam appeared ..read more

NC State University (7.16.2024) published the article, “Bartonella and Babesia Co-Infection Detected in Patients with Chronic Illness." This article discusses a pilot study conducted at North Carolina State University that identified co-infections of Bartonella and Babesia odocoilei in patients with chronic illnesses. The study found that six out of seven patients with chronic, non-specific illnesses were co-infected with Bartonella bacteria and Babesia odocoilei. The post Bartonella and Babesia Co-Infection Detected in Patients with Chronic Illness appeared first on Lyme Disease Associa ..read more

Cowboy State Daily (7.14.2024) published the article, “A New Hobby? Wyoming Scientists Looking For People To Go Out And Collect Ticks." The article describes an initiative in Wyoming where scientists are seeking volunteers to help collect ticks as part of a statewide research effort. The project, led by the Teton County Weed and Pest District, and supported by the University of Wyoming's Biodiversity Institute, aims to survey and study the tick population in Wyoming. The goals include understanding how widespread ticks are, identifying the species present, and determining which diseases ..read more