Weber State University student research project

[Guest guest]

I am posting this on behalf of the students.

-Robynn

Weber State University

3848 on Blvd.

Ogden, Utah 84408

Lyme Disease Project

Hello, my name is Sherri Gagnon, I am a student at Weber State University in

Ogden, Utah. I am currently enrolled in the Clinical Laboratory Science program

and along with a small group, I am conducting a research project on the need of

a Lyme disease question on the AABB (American Association of Blood Banking)

blood donation form. This is the required nationwide form for all blood donation

centers. Although there are direct screening questions for hepatitis, syphilis,

and Babesiosis, there are none specific for Lyme disease. Current protocol

relies solely on the question " Are you feeling healthy and well today? " to help

weed out Lyme disease. Those who have Lyme disease know that there are many days

where they feel healthy and well and have been told that there is nothing wrong

with them, and may consider themselves " healthy and well " . However, medical

evidence has shown that the organism may still be transmitted to others.

We have found that although a question about Lyme disease is asked in some areas

that are considered " endemic " , it can be found in all 50 states. Therefore, we

would like to have a mandatory question added to the AABB pre-blood donor

donation questionnaire form.

There are four members in my research team and two of us have family member's

afflicted with this disease. Knowing firsthand the turmoil and suffering this

disease this can cause, we are trying to prove that while the medical community

is still in debate over the ins and outs of this disease, there is no room for

debate on donating blood.

In order to collect data, we are asking people to participate in a survey. We

are not asking for any personal information, just click on this link and fill

out the survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RT2PFVR. The survey should take

about five minutes as there are only 7 questions.

Our e-mail address is addlymedisease@.... We would appreciate it if you

would share this letter with your support group and find out if anyone is

interested in taking the survey. We don't need any names or personal

information.

Sincerely,

Sherri Gagnon

& Research Associates:

Pierce

Kaelyn Udy

Crystal -