How to Talk to Your Doctor about Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Interested patrons may register here. 

The Vineyard Haven Library and the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program are pleased to host a virtual presentation on how to discuss alpha-gal syndrome with healthcare providers. Speakers include Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols of Two Alpha Gals, Sharon Forsyth of the Alpha-gal Syndrome Awareness Campaign, and moderator Lea Hamner of the MV Tick Program. The program will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 5th via Zoom. 

This program is designed to empower alpha-gal patients with the knowledge to take control of their health. Participants will gain insights into preparing for appointments, understanding necessary tests, and communicating symptoms. 

Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols, founders of Two Alpha Gals (TwoAlphaGals.com) and the Alpha-gal Foundation (AlphaGalFoundation.org), are dedicated to helping individuals navigate life with alpha-gal syndrome without sacrificing joy. Through their personal experiences and commitment to community building, they provide valuable resources and support for those affected by this condition.

Sharon Forsyth was diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome in 2019. Frustrated by the lack of available information and support, she organized the Alpha-gal Syndrome Awareness Campaign and created AlphaGalInformation.org to assist others navigating this complex condition. More recently she co-founded two nonprofits, the Alpha-gal Alliance and the Alpha-Gal Alliance Action Fund (alphagalaction.org/)

Lea Hamner is an epidemiologist for the MV Tick Program / Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative. She focuses on infectious diseases of public health significance and supporting data-informed decision-making to support healthier communities.

The Martha’s Vineyard Tick-borne Illness Reduction Initiative (aka the Tick Program) is dedicated to reducing the number of ticks and tick-borne illnesses on Martha’s Vineyard through education, advocacy and cooperation with other organizations and individuals. The Tick Program is an initiative of the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Interested patrons may register here. The program will also be recorded and available on the library Vimeo channel within 48 hours of the event. 

“How to Talk to Your Doctor about Alpha-Gal Syndrome” is a part of an on-going series on tick ecology and tickborne diseases organized by the Vineyard Haven Library and the MV Tick Program that included a September 2024 presentation on Tick Ecology with biologist Patrick Roden-Reynolds, an October 2024 presentation on Tickborne Illnesses with epidemiologist Lea Hamner, and an October 2024 presentation on Alpha-gal Syndrome with Dr. Scott Commins. Recordings of those presentations are available on the library’s Vimeo channel here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/11413322. 

For more information, please contact the library at vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org or (508) 696-4211.