More than 5,000 patients, advocates and healthcare providers from 50 states signed onto a letter to President Trump that urges him to prioritize the critical public health crisis of Lyme and tick-borne diseases, and disrupt the status quo.

Several celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo, Christopher Meloni, and Ally Hilfiger supported the 12-day campaign, which ran from January 21 to February 2.

The letter states that the first Trump Administration made progress combating Lyme disease and urged Trump to continue “prioritizing Lyme and tick-borne diseases to alleviate the burden of chronic illness on the American people and economy.”

The letter also states that “the urgent need to address the public health crisis of Lyme and tick-borne diseases is deeply aligned with the mission of Make America Healthy Again—to address the epidemic of chronic illness and protect the health of future generations.”

A documentary turned impact campaign

The campaign was organized by the team behind “The Quiet Epidemic”—a documentary turned impact campaign, focused on Lyme disease. With bipartisan support, “The Quiet Epidemic” recently hosted a panel discussion and film screening at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center to unite the community ahead of a critical year for advocacy.

According to the film’s co-director, Lindsay Keys: “Lyme disease was first recognized in the U.S. in 1975 and 50 years later, people around the world still lack access to accurate diagnostics and effective treatments. We need the Trump Administration to intervene. This is a bipartisan issue, and we must come together to address it.“

In addition to asking President Trump to support funding increases, Keys says the letter is a stepping stone toward uniting the Lyme and tick-borne disease community for future legislative initiatives, and that the #MakeLymeLoud campaign is complementary to the work of other advocates who are engaging directly with administration officials and members of Congress.

SOURCE: The Quiet Epidemic