TB Notes Newsletter
No. 2, 2007
WORLD TB DAY 2007
First Annual
TB Awareness Walk
TB is the leading cause of death among those with
HIV/AIDS, and is a leading infectious disease cause of
death among women in some countries. Educating the
public and raising awareness about TB was the purpose of
the First Annual TB Awareness Walk, held on World TB
Day, March 24, 2007, in Atlanta’s Grant Park.
The walk, about 2 miles long, was preceded by a
program of speakers, including Dr. Julie Gerberding,
Director of CDC; Dr. Kevin Fenton (Director, NCHHSTP);
Carol Pozsik (Executive Director, National TB
Controllers Association [NTCA]); and Patti Arias
(RESULTS International). In addition, DTBE’s own Regina
Bess read a poem she had written for World TB Day. The
NTCA partnered with DTBE, the Fulton County Health
Department, the Georgia Division of Public Health, the
American Lung Association–Southeast Region, RESULTS
International, the Watsonian Society (a CDC employee
organization), local businesses, and others for this
awareness-raising event. As a result of energetic
recruiting efforts of DTBE staff, 635 people registered
online and about 500 walkers showed up for the event –
truly a remarkable showing! We would also like to
congratulate the Field Services and Evaluation Branch,
winners of the TB Walk recruiting contest!
Many CDC staff turned out for the event, some with
their family or friends. Because so many individuals
assisted with the planning and coordinating of the walk,
it proceeded without incident or mishap and was truly
enjoyable. The perfect spring weather, the inspiring
remarks of the speakers, and the opportunity to raise
awareness about TB made this first TB Awareness Walk a
rewarding and enjoyable experience that we hope to
repeat next year.
—Reported by Vic Tomlinson
Div of TB Elimination, and
Carol Pozsik
National TB Controllers Association
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TB and HIV Analogy
Cheryl Tryon of CDC's DTBE wrote this poem while in
Botswana conducting a training course, and presented it
for World TB Day 2007. Note from Cheryl: I have
conducted a number of TB and HIV trainings in Africa
while working for CDC. I learned many things from
African trainers who helped with the courses. One thing
is that they use analogies extremely well when
explaining various concepts. Another is that they ask,
“Are we all together?” to gain consensus and determine
if course participants are following along. I used both
of those techniques in this poem.
To me, HIV is like an enormous fire that has spread
to practically every country in the world.
It is a fire that leaves a path of destruction as it
destroys the lives that it comes into contact with.
And TB is like an enormous drought that also leaves a
path of destruction.
It too, destroys the lives that it comes into contact
with.
When people have HIV, they are more susceptible to
getting TB.
And in many countries, most of the people who have
HIV actually die of TB.
When there is drought, fires often erupt.
And when there are fires, there are often
drought-like situations left behind where the land is
all dried up.
So there is a relationship between fire
and drought,
just like there is a relationship between TB and HIV.
Are we all together?
But there is hope because something falls from the
sky that can end the fire and drought.
That hope is rain.
Our efforts as health care workers are like the rain.
We -
…Teach people how to prevent getting these diseases
…Help people get treatment to cure TB
…Help people get treatment for HIV so that they can live
longer and healthier lives
…Work together to develop new skills and motivate each
other to solve all of the many problems in dealing with
these two diseases
Are we all together?
When I work at my desk in Atlanta I feel overwhelmed,
and my efforts seem so small as to not make much of a
difference. It is like only one drop of rain trying to
put out this enormous fire and end this devastating
drought.
But I know that if my one drop of water helps save
one life or helps one person live a longer and healthier
life so they can see their children grow, then it helps
me remember that even though my effort is small it is
worthwhile.
I work with courageous coworkers at CDC and with our
dedicated partners in countries who are at the forefront
of these two diseases. Every day they work hard trying
to fight these diseases.
I feel that all of our efforts, each of our drops of
rain together can create a great storm. It is a storm
that can make a tremendous difference to put out this
fire and end this drought. And that helps motivate me
and feel like there is hope.
On this issue of hope, are we all together?
—By Cheryl Tryon
Div of TB Elimination
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From Us to You
Regina D. Bess of CDC's DTBE wrote this poem for
World TB Day 2007 to convey messages of commitment and
hope in the efforts to eliminate TB. It captures the
essence of the TB program's mission and dedication to
the communities it serves.
In 1882, Robert Koch discovered a staining technique,
And about this great scientist, today we still speak.
It enabled him to see Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
And from this process we began to determine a diagnosis.
TST, chest x-ray, and drug susceptibility test,
In our days ahead, we didn't find much rest.
And sometimes we now wonder- MDR, XDR? What could it
be?
We'll put our resources together to provide appropriate
therapy.
Resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, and some
fluoroquinolones,
We take this challenge, continue our efforts, we won't
leave you alone.
Don't want you to complain of pills, lab tests, and
all those injections,
We just want to protect you from a deadly coinfection.
A new vaccine, new drugs, and much more DOT,
We're short of our funding, but we hear your desperate
plea.
Don't want you to sing the blues like they did in the
days of old,
But we will be precise using QuantiFERON-TB Gold.
Don't want you to give up, lose hope, or stop
fighting,
We'll examine the DNA with accurate genotyping.
Don't want to hear you cry out, too late? too late?
too late,
So we pledge to research, train, and educate.
Don't want to hear you moan, that old graveyard is a
lonesome place,
Our efforts will be vigilant, and yes, we'll run this
race.
Don't want you to suffer from this terrible disease,
But want you to find comfort and your mind be at ease.
We'll gather statistics, RVCT reports, and
surveillance data,
We'll do it now because Now is the Time, not later.
You may be from Africa, Asia, or Latin America,
We'll send out our troops, we'll come there, you betcha!
And yes, it is a challenge to us, you see,
But we will not stop until we eliminate TB.
—By Regina Bess
Div of TB Elimination
Last Reviewed: 05/18/2008
Content Source: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
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