Lyme Disease Documentary ’Under our skin’ makes MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA PREMIER (November 8th-10th)

Minnesota Film Arts is proud to present the Lyme disease documentary “Under Our Skin,” co-sponsored by the Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group. Show days and times are: November 8, 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm, and November 9 and 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St in Minneapolis. The Event is Part of an Effort to Pass Legislation to Allow Patients to Choose Long-term Lyme Disease Antibiotic Therapy

The screenings are part of an effort to raise awareness and help pass Minnesota Senate bill SF1631, which will allow patients with Lyme disease other tick-borne diseases and their doctors– not insurance companies – to decide what treatment protocol to follow.

Jordan Fisher Smith, who tells his own harrowing story in the film, will emcee the Nov 8 and 9 showings. State legislators Ray Vandeveer and John Ward will talk briefly about the legislation before the shows on Nov 8. Dr. Elizabeth Maloney, MLASG medical consultant, will be on hand for questions after all screenings. Jordan Fisher Smith and Dr. Maloney will be available to media 45 minutes before show times, or by appointment.

Lyme disease is a complex disease with complicated issues surrounding it. Here are some of the basics:

* Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the United States. Minnesota ranks 8th, with 1,282 cases reported in 2008.
* The CDC estimates the number to be ten times that, making LD bigger than West Nile and Avian flu combined.
* 1 in 3 deer ticks in Minnesota carry the Lyme bacteria, according to the MN Dept of Health.
* Lyme cases have spiked 450% in Minnesota from 1998 – 2008.
* Tests for LD are highly inaccurate and result in false negatives; insurance companies then use these results to deny care.
* Patients are often denied much-needed antibiotic treatment by doctors who are misinformed about the disease or fear reprisal from state medical boards.
* Each year thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are "all in their head.”

“Under Our Skin” follows patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, bringing into focus a haunting picture of our health care system and its inability to cope with a silent terror under our skin.

The Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group is a non-profit organization working toward increased awareness and prevention of Lyme disease, as well as much-needed research into the causes and complications of tick-borne diseases.

The Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group also provides educational opportunities for physicians, advocacy for patients, information on tick-borne diseases, and support to those infected with Lyme disease.

Contact Information

Monique Dubos

Event manager

Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group

Contact via E-mail