The Facebook page which publicised and organisedRed Shoe Day to remember people who have lost their lives to Lyme Disease and other invisible illnesses gained the support of nearly 1000 people. Many people from around the world posted photographs of themselves and their families wearing their red shoes (or slippers, socks, or even red toenails); evidence that awareness of Lyme Disease, related diseases, and the severity of them is growing around the world. Hopefully this will lead to greater awareness in the medical community too, and result in faster, more effective treatment in the early stages - most importantly, hopefully it will prevent further deaths in the future.
One
of the most poignant images posted on Red Shoe Day's facebook page is
the one I want to share below. I don't think the photograph needs any
explanation or description, I think this emotive image of empty shoes perfectly represents the
reason for Red Shoe Day.
This weekend will see awareness protests around the world with the aim of increasing awareness of Lyme disease and gaining proper treatment for patients and updated information, based on current research for doctors, other health professionals, and patients. Details, pictures, and media coverage from all the protests can be found on the Worldwide Lyme Protest facebook page.
In the UK, Friday saw a Lyme awareness protest in Manchester; Saturday will see a protest outside the Department of Health in London. See the Lyme Disease UK facebook page for coverage of both events.
If you're in London and looking for something to do tomorrow - join in the protest; take the place of someone who wishes to be there but is too ill to attend because treatment is not available....
If you can't do that, show your support by supporting the GoLymeGreen campaign - wear green, turn your profiles pictures green and share awareness about Lyme! Your help could save someone's life.
Donating blood in the UK: no screening for Lyme Disease
There are many restrictions on donating blood - all designed to prevent transmission of infection. Usually blood transfusions are needed when people are ill or in a serious accident, so of course they don't want to be giving blood which has the potential to spread another illness.
As the poster says, in the UK donated blood is screened for Syphilis, another spirochetal bacterial infection but is not screened for Lyme disease. Borrelia Burgdorferi is also a spirochete - a bacterium with the ability to invade any cell in the body due to their ability to burrow through tissue using their spiral-shaped 'tail'.
This video shows and explains how spirochetes move through tissue:
In the US, the guidelines from the American Red Cross for donating blood state:
Lyme
Disease
Accept persons with Lyme disease if they were treated, the disease
resolved and at least 1 year has passed.
Those with chronic Lyme disease are not eligible to donate blood.
Interestingly, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) refers the question to the Red Cross site, despite not acknowledging the existence of 'chronic' Lyme disease (also referred to as disseminated Lyme disease - where the spirochetes have travelled throughout the body and the infection is systemic; or late-stage Lyme disease).
Their advice states:
Although no cases of Lyme disease have been linked to blood transfusion,
scientists have found that the Lyme disease bacteria can live in blood
that is stored for donation. Individuals being treated for Lyme disease
with an antibiotic should not donate blood. Individuals who have
completed antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease may be considered as
potential blood donors. Information on the current criteria for blood
donation is available on the Red Cross website
