Patterson and daughter to host free screening of lyme disease documentary 'under our skin'

Pontiac, MI, May 6, 2009 -- Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and his daughter, Mary Margaret Warner, will host a free screening of "Under Our Skin," a one hour and forty minute documentary on Lyme disease. The event will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at the Michigan State University Management Education Center, 811 W. Square Lake Road in Troy. Governor Jennifer Granholm has declared May Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.

Patterson's daughter, Mary Warner, became an advocate for the treatment and cure of Lyme disease after she contracted the debilitating illness in 1994 while still in high school. But as a result of proper medical treatment her condition improved dramatically and she is now considered free of Lyme disease.

The movie synopsis says "Under Our Skin" is a powerful and often terrifying look at not only the science and politics of Lyme disease, but also the personal stories of those whose lives have been affected and in some cases nearly destroyed.

"People who have Lyme disease, know someone with Lyme disease or just want to learn more about it really need to see this movie," said Warner. "What I hope people take away after watching the documentary is that they are not alone and they can get better."

Since Lyme disease was first discovered in the early 1970's in children living around the city of Lyme, Connecticut, it has remained a virtually mysterious ailment often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, MS or ALS. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 200,000 people may acquire Lyme disease each year, which is more than AIDS, West Nile Virus and Avian Flu combined.

The free screening of "Under Our Skin," the only such showing in Michigan, is made possible through funding from the Michigan Lyme Disease Association. A free reception will be held immediately following the documentary. For more information on the movie or Lyme disease in general, contact MLDA at 888-784-5963 or go to www.UnderOurSkin.com.