World AIDS Day (12/1/08) – Embracing the Positive

World AIDS Day is a milestone in so many different ways.  It has marked the persistence of HIV and its impact on our world, but we hope that we are approaching a turning point where World AIDS Day will come to mark progress. What this day marks, however, is that being HIV positive doesn’t mean… Continue reading World AIDS Day (12/1/08) – Embracing the Positive

National Family History Day

PatientsLikeMe believes in the benefits of openly sharing health information.  That is why we are happy to spread the word about National Family History Day, which had its fifth anniversary on Thanksgiving 2008. As families gather this holiday weekend, National Family History Day encourages families to become familiar with the health history of previous generations. … Continue reading National Family History Day

Should You Share Your Health Information Online?

Openness.  Privacy.  These philosophies stand in direct opposition in the question of which is better for consumer health.  Should people be open with their health information or private?  Certainly there are times for both, right? Not according to some privacy advocates.  On October 22, 2008, Deven McGraw from the Center for Democracy and Technology cited… Continue reading Should You Share Your Health Information Online?

Living Positive with PatientsLikeMe (AIDS Walk Chicago)

You’ve spotted us again!  This weekend, PatientsLikeMe was a proud sponsor of the AIDS Walk/Run at Grant Park in Chicago on September 20, 2008.  The event, benefiting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and 70 other local organizations, brought together more than 7,000 people on this warm, sunny day to show their support in the fight… Continue reading Living Positive with PatientsLikeMe (AIDS Walk Chicago)

PatientsLikeMe sponsors MS Challenge Walk on Cape Cod

PatientsLikeMe was recently one of the sponsors for the 2008 MS Challenge Walk on Cape Cod, a three-day, 50-mile event held on September 5-7, 2008. More than 620 walkers participated, each raising a minimum of $1,500.  Overall the event raised close to $1.4 million to benefit Multiple Sclerosis (MS) education, support, advocacy and research. The… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe sponsors MS Challenge Walk on Cape Cod

PatientsLikeMe and The Power of Peers

Over the weekend, PatientsLikeMe was an exhibitor at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s 2008 National Conference, which took place September 11-14th in Norfolk, Virginia.  The theme was “The Power of Peers.” While I spent most of my time at our sponsor table answering questions about PatientsLikeMe, I overheard other attendees discussing a concept I… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe and The Power of Peers

More Than Meets the Eye: Non-motor Symptoms in Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease

Most people think of Parkinson’s disease (PD) as a condition of aging, and most of the time they’re right. Looking at the population as a whole, about 1-2% of people over the age of 65 have PD, and it’s usually a condition that is most severe in patients in their 70’s and 80’s. However, about… Continue reading More Than Meets the Eye: Non-motor Symptoms in Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease

PatientsLikeMe at the Young-Onset Parkinson’s Network Conference

PatientsLikeMe was a proud sponsor of the National Parkinson’s Foundation Young-Onset Parkinson’s Network (YOPN) Conference in Atlanta, GA last week. The event, coordinated by and for people living with Young-Onset Parkinson Disease (YOPD), was a huge success. Paul Wicks and I (Maureen Oakes) enjoyed working at the booth, meeting many of our current members and… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe at the Young-Onset Parkinson’s Network Conference

Tysabri and the 2 New Reported Cases of PML

Members of our Multiple Sclerosis (MS) community have been discussing this story in the Boston Globe which reports severe adverse events experienced by two European MS patients on the drug Tysabri (Natalizumab). Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody which seems to have a potent effect on MS; the original trial published in the New England Journal… Continue reading Tysabri and the 2 New Reported Cases of PML

PatientsLikeMe Announces New Partnerships

At PatientsLikeMe, our Core Values drive all of our business processes including selection of partners. We are proud to announce our three newest partnerships which include both nonprofit and academic institutions. Note: At all times, our members can access information about what we do with their data, how we make money, and who is partnering… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Announces New Partnerships