Stand4Lyme Partners With Stanford Scientists Making Lyme History

Campaign Launches a Groundbreaking Collaborative Research Platform to Accelerate a Cure for Lyme Disease

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Apr 26, 2016, 11:07 ET

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Stand4Lyme® Foundation has launched a groundbreaking, collaborative Lyme research platform to accelerate a cure for Lyme disease partnering with the Stanford School of Medicine's Stanford Lyme Disease Working Group (SLWG), which includes collaboration at other leading institutions such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Columbia. Leveraging Stanford's critical assets fills major gaps in Lyme research and holds great potential to develop a cure, "Making Lyme History^®."

Stand4Lyme's Catalyst 4 The Cure concert

"Today we do not have accurate diagnostics to assist physicians in diagnosing Lyme disease or screen donated blood for our blood banks, nor do we have therapies that cure all stages of Lyme. We now have an unprecedented opportunity joining forces with brilliant minds who share our urgency to accelerate a reliable diagnostic and a cure for the millions who remain debilitated. However, it requires the private sector to take a STAND and fund these initiatives."

- Sherry Cagan - Stand4Lyme Foundation Founder and President

For the first time, Stand4Lyme's "Lyme in the 21^st Century," video has brought together ten of the world's top collaborating scientists such as Dr. Irving Weissman discussing their scientific insights on Lyme disease and the urgency to act. These interviews may shed light on the "Lyme and Tick Borne Disease, Prevention, Education, and Research ACT."

While reintroducing bill S.1503, Senator Blumenthal states during his speech to the US Congress on April 4^th,"The cases of Lyme disease are exploding in numbers and the severity impacts our economy as well as the quality of life for Americans. It affects people's ability to perform their jobs, children's ability to go to school, and families' ability to function normally. The disease, if undetected and untreated, can cause the most severe kinds of pain and disability," (speech Senator Blumenth#252F0AD)

Stand4Lyme's Catalyst 4 The Cure® concert, to be held at a Silicon Valley private estate on May 22nd, offers a rare opportunity to meet and discuss the issues of Lyme with some of these world experts. Featuring KC and the Sunshine Band live in concert, along with celebrity Honorary Chairs: Yolanda Hadid, Chynna Phillips and Billy Baldwin benefiting the work of the SLWG.

"We are honored to have the support of the Stand4Lyme Foundation. Its founders Sherry and Laird Cagan have been steady supporters of Stanford University and have been instrumental in helping advance national research for Lyme disease. In their personal quest for a curative treatment and as catalysts for the creation of the Stanford Lyme Working Group, they inspire us to accelerate medical advancements to make Lyme disease history."

- Mark Davis, PhD and Laura Roberts, MD, MA, Co-Directors, Stanford Lyme Disease Working Group

Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US, with more than 300,000 new cases reported each year (six times more than HIV). This public health epidemic; costing the US health care system billions annually is significantly underfunded and the public remains largely unaware. Lyme disease is a bacteria spread by ticks. Patients are often misdiagnosed with other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ALS, autism and Alzheimer's. If not treated promptly, this bacterium similar to syphilis may progress to a debilitating stage, becoming difficult or impossible to cure. It can be potentially fatal.

Stand4Lyme® Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Silicon Valley, founded by Sherry and Laird Cagan, who's catalyst to their commitment draws from Sherry's personal near death experience with Lyme disease. Stand4Lyme Foundation joins forces with Stanford scientists paving a medical path to wellness for patients at all stages of the disease, ending prolonged suffering of millions, "Making Lyme History^®."

Website: http://www.stand4lyme.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160412/354654

SOURCE Stand4Lyme Foundation