Hello, everyone, 

I'm happy to share some good news with you. Sky News has covered my brother's story of contracting Alpha Gal Syndrome from a tick bite, and the debilitating impact it's had on his life. The full interview between my brother and Sky News' health correspondent will be broadcast on TV at 5pm (GMT) today, Friday 4 August. 

• Man left housebound by potentially deadly meat allergy triggered by tick bites | UK News | Sky News
• Man bitten by tick hasn't left his house for six weeks in fear of another allergic reaction | UK News | Sky News
• What is the tick-borne disease alpha-gal and why does it cause an allergy to meat? | UK News | Sky News

This is a fantastic first step in raising public awareness of this life-threatening allergy. As you'll see in the video and news articles, the message is clear: more research is desperately needed, and medical professionals need to understand Alpha Gal Syndrome and how to diagnose and manage it.  

Getting this story out there has only been possible thanks to your support and encouragement. Thank you so much to everyone who's signed, shared or promoted the petition - and to those of you who've kindly shared your own experiences with this severe allergy. Let's keep the conversation going! 

Best wishes,
Lydia (proud sister)