Lyme Research in Canada!

The first-of-its-kind independent Lyme research facility opened its doors amidst great anticipation at the Columbia University Medical Center in northern Manhattan, NY, back in early 2007. Columbia's Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center was established as "the first academic research center in the [United States] to focus multidisciplinary research on Chronic Lyme disease", under the direction of the highly respected Brian Fallon, MD, MPH. The Center's website includes information on their latest research and extensive patient resources.

Yesterday the official opening of the Dr. E. Murakami Centre for Lyme Research, Education & Assistance Society was announced on CanLyme. Hat's off to Dr. Murakami. Considered by many to be Canada's foremost Lyme doctor (he has taken more than 20 Chronic Lyme patients out of "permanent" wheelchairs!), he is no stranger to the Lyme controversy -- see Dr. Ernie Murakami, MD on CBC Television.

The full announcement about the new research centre follows:

It is with great excitement that we announce the official opening of the Dr. E. Murakami Centre for Lyme Research, Education & Assistance Society. It is Dr. Murakami's life work to make a difference for those suffering with Lyme. Up until now, Dr. Murakami has been fighting this fight as a lone doctor. Now he has a Society to fall back on, representative of all he believes in. He is the founder and president of this society. This will now be his lasting legacy.

The Society is registered with the Government of Canada as a Not-for-profit Society. It is currently run by a board of nine directors. There is a good line up of experiences within the board members to assist in achieving the goals of the Society. As the Society is a not-for-profit organization, it relies heavily on donations, grants and outside funding. The society website has been set up to accept donations from anyone interested. Memberships are also available, for those who are able, which will allow them to be part of the Society and assist with fundraising activities and efforts.

Up until now, Dr. Murakami has been funding his efforts on his own. As all of you know, he does all of his communications with sufferers au gratis. We hope you will join the official Society of Dr. M in some way, shape or form that suits you best. The first priorities of the Society is to advance the research efforts as quickly as possible. There is a plethora of information and data that has been gathered from patients just like you. This information and the work of cooperative laboratories will fuel the truth forward.

We are looking forward to a positive future and some exponential changes for those with Lyme and co-infections. Please visit the Society website and bookmark it. We hope you will be able to help out anyway you can. http://www.murakamicentreforlyme.org

Any questions or problems with the site, please contact me directly at info@murakamicentreforlyme.org

Sincerely yours,
Melanie Lauren
Forum Admin
Marketing, Media and Fundraising Director
Dr. E. Murakami Centre for Lyme