The Morgellons Research Foundation

The Morgellons Research Foundation began in 2004 as a way to raise public awareness about an obscure disease that causes painful, itchy sores and eventually leads to neurological impairment. The name “Morgellons” comes from a condition described by Sir Thomas Browne documented in France in the 17th century in which black hairs emerged from children with sores on their bodies. It is not known whether this disease is the same, but the condition needed a name, so founder Mary Leitao provided the label.

Those suffering from Morgellons experience painful and sometimes disfiguring lesions on their skin that produce fiber-like substances. The fibers are a paradox in themselves. As of today’s date, there has been no clinical research as to the cause of the fibers, though the foundation believes that the bizarre white, blue and even red fibers, accompanied by black specs are the body’s way of ridding itself of a bacterial toxins.

The foundation concurs that because many people in the same family are prone to getting Morgellons, the disease may be contagious. It is unknown whether or not the disease is spread through intimate contact or casual social contact. In the case of Mary Leitao, neither she nor her late husband were infected, but all three of her children suffer from the condition.

The disease was first brought to the attention of the medical community by Leitao in 2001. Since then, thousands of suffers have come forward and the foundation has approximately 1,200 members registered in its data banks. For many, the research foundation is their last hope. Most of the people who suffer from this condition have found little or no relief from their doctors and for some, the pursuit of treatment has led them to financial bankruptcy.

There is some hope. Through the persistence of the Morgellons Research Foundation, the disease has raised some awareness in the medical community. There is some evidence that the same treatment used for Lyme Disease can put Morgellons into remission. And while the symptoms of Morgellons are disturbing at best, the condition has not proven to be fatal.

The Foundation estimates that more than 10,000 families suffer from this disease in the United States alone. Although the vast concentration is found in Southern California, Texas and Florida, cases have been reported in all 50 states, as well as abroad. The foundation has been reassuring in their belief that there is absolutely no sign of bio-terror involved in this disease; although there are some that believe that environmental causes, such as pesticides, play a role in contracting Morgellons.

Although some in the medical community continue to dismiss this disease, which is not mentioned in any medical books, as a psychological disorder, likening it to delusional parasitosis, a decades old diagnosis usually suffered by psychiatric patients as well as those withdrawing from drugs and alcohol in which someone believes bugs are crawling over their body, with each passing month, more knowledge is gained through the efforts of the not for profit research foundation.

In 2006, the CDC began an investigation into Morgellons Disease, prompted by thousands of telephone calls and letters to congress. To date, the CDC remains “up in the air” as to the cause of the disease and whether or not it is contagious, however, they are continuing to investigate.

The Morgellons Research Foundation is a not for profit organization that relies on donations from individuals. To find out more about this disease, contact the Morgellons website here.