Imagine this: it’s summer and you’ve just got back from a camping trip. You discover a large rash on your leg. You brush it off, thinking it’s normal. Fast forward a few months, you are plagued by a series of systemic symptoms: headaches, brain fog, joint pain, muscle ache, etc. to the point that you may need to use a wheelchair. You go to doctors, but they always refuse to treat you. All the tests come back normal and they say, “You are fine. It’s all in your head.” And even if they acknowledge your disease, their hands are tied. You find yourself crippled in bed, hoping for an answer, wishing for your life back.

Think this is far-fetched? NO. This is what happens to an estimate of over 200,000 people annually in North America. They have Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is the leading vector borne illness in our continent, yet it is easily preventable. It may silently become the next epidemic, but continues to be blind-sighted by the medical community. Let’s take action now: join the McMaster Association for Lyme Disease Awareness to spread the word about Lyme.

Visit us at Clubfest in front of La Piazza to learn more, as well as to sign up for volunteering opportunities! Officer positions are available.



For more information, contact: [email protected]

I'm in! Remind me though, yell at me if you see me walking by during clubfest.

Good god, best trolling EVER.

i cant tell if your kidding or not haha, is this an actual club

why would they be trolling =S =S?

Originally Posted by lawleypop

Good god, best trolling EVER.

I hope you're being sarcastic...she wouldn't put that much work into a poster for a joke...

It's a legit club. And the disease is pretty serious too. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002296/

I highly encourage everyone to come to our table at clubfest to learn more!

i would love to know why you started this club, any background history with it, or just cus you heard of it and thought it would be interesting, also are you the prez and do you already have an exec team, and umm what exactly do you do in this club?

Would be interested in knowing what this club plans to do. It is an important issue though. A lot of people I know have gone camping that have never been through a program that would teach about how to avoid ticks.

Originally Posted by ikantsepll

I hope you're being sarcastic...she wouldn't put that much work into a poster for a joke...

It's a pretty decent poster. Way to go, Terra!

What I learned today: don't go camping anymore.

Gonna come to this table to meet terrafirma!

Originally Posted by ikantsepll

I hope you're being sarcastic...she wouldn't put that much work into a poster for a joke...

That's what makes it so believable.

Originally Posted by Chevalier

i would love to know why you started this club, any background history with it, or just cus you heard of it and thought it would be interesting, also are you the prez and do you already have an exec team, and umm what exactly do you do in this club?

We started this club because one of our members has first-hand experience dealing with the disease, including the difficulty involved in getting a diagnosis and treatment because the seriousness of the disease is often downplayed or ignored. She essentially had to diagnose herself and go through many skeptical doctors before getting appropriate treatment, and still has to deal with lingering symptoms today.

This is a recurrent issue with people who get this disease and it can affect anyone, so it is extremely important to raise awareness for this issue.

I'm the VP of communications, and you can talk to me and other execs at clubfest tomorrow if you have any questions! We have the core exec team but are looking for officers (this can go on your resume) that can help us with volunteering events, get to attend conferences, and other club initiatives.

If you don't see us at clubfest tomorrow, feel free to email us at [email protected] if you are interested in being a part of our team.

Originally Posted by arathbon

Would be interested in knowing what this club plans to do. It is an important issue though. A lot of people I know have gone camping that have never been through a program that would teach about how to avoid ticks.

Hi Alasdair,

Thanks for your interest!

We plan to:
-collect signatures for a Lyme petition started by MPP Bob Bailey
-host a film screening of the documentary "Under Our Skin"
-host events for guest speakers
-attend conferences to participate in the discussion
-increase awareness of Lyme Disease in a multitude of other ways
-ensure that every single person at McMaster knows of this disease, to increase each person's individual safety as well as understanding those who suffer from it

If you are interested in becoming an officer, be sure to sign up at our table tomorrow, or email [email protected]

Greetings everyone, new to the post and not a student at McM , but someone who believes she is suffering from Lyme. I have been sufffering from the symptoms for almost 6 weeks now (strangely after a visit to VA where Lyme is endemic). I also live in Muskoka. However, still receive blank looks and dismissals from my gp to the respiralogist to the rheumatotgist. I figure you have heard of www.ilads.org website which I have found helpful. Persuiing treatment in the US.As you know expensive and time comsuming. Thank you for setting up MALDA. It is so reassuring. It is tough trying to be your own advocate when you feel lousy. Peace