Babesiosis: time for change

As of November 14th it's been four weeks since I was diagnosed with babesiosis.  (http://ridewiththal.blogspot.com/2019/10/babesiosis-tick-ing-time-bomb.html) Following my week long stay in the hospital I hit the ground running trying to encourage New York State to mandate the testing for babesiosis on all blood dispensed with in New York State.

It's been slow going and I now realize it will take time to make the change if it happens at all.  This is unfortunate since a bout with babesiosis for anyone with a compromised immune system is life threatening.

This is the progress I've made to date.

NY Senator Joseph Griffo:
I e-mailed his staff all information pertaining to my bout with babesiosis.  I then happened to see him in person in my home town.  I confronted him and he graciously sat and talked to me.  He was already aware of the email I had sent him. I think it was good he could put a face with the cause.  He advised he planned on perusing this issue with our county health director.  The very next day Phyllis Ellis Director of Health for the Oneida County Health Department contacted me for details. She assured me she would work with Senator Griffo to research the issue.

US Congressman Anthony Brindisi:
I e-mailed his staff all information pertaining to my bout with babesiosis. His staff returned a call to me to advise they have asked the Wadsworth Center to open an investigation into the issue. On November 12 I had a conference call with two individuals from the center assigned to this case. Sr. Investigator Marylou Schiro (Laboratory Investigations Unit) and Dr Danuta Olkowska (Director of Blood Resources Program).

Sandy Gilbert PHD with the Cooley's Anemia Foundation:
Sandy sent the following FDA recommendations for reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Unfortunately these are not currently mandated.

I will update this blog as I receive new information.  Please follow and feel free to post your thoughts and any comments.