The National Capital Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Association proudly announces the launch of its new chapter serving the Virginia Peninsula, the area between Richmond and Newport News/Hampton, including the Middle Peninsula counties of Gloucester, Mathews, King, and Queen. Residents of Surry and the areas across the James River are also welcome.

Marge Eveland, who joined the association’s Board of Directors in June, 2012, will serve as chapter leader, facilitating meetings to be held on the third Sunday of each month, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the following location:

James City County/Williamsburg Community

Center5301 Longhill Road

Williamsburg, Virginia 23188

The chapter’s first meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2012, at 2 p.m.

As chapter head, Marge seeks to help educate James City County and its neighbors about Lyme disease and its potential impact. During the past 15 months, she formed and acted as co-administrator of a Lyme support group on Facebook – educating, encouraging, and offering practical tips on wellness.

Before being stricken by Lyme disease, Marge was an R.N. student as well as an employee of MCV Hospital, working in the Heart-Lung Transplant Unit as both Assistant Nurse and Cardiac Monitor Tech. Those years of training and experience, along with her skills in home health nursing “were truly put to the test,” she tells us. “Lyme disease and its related woes challenged everything I had once believed about wellness & healing.” During the twelve years until she was diagnosed, Marge developed an interest in a Holistic approach to wellness and is now a Certified Natural Health Professional.

Education is Marge’s top priority. She hopes to help victims of tick-borne illnesses to share their experiences, learn to deal effectively with stress, educate themselves to advocate for their healthcare needs, and live as well as possible with a debilitating illness. She may be reached atbbgal2008@cox.net or 757-566-2121.