Chagas disease is an infection caused by a parasite commonly found in rural areas of Mexico and Central and South America. The infection is lifelong and if left untreated, can be life-threatening.

The CDC estimates that there are 300,000 individuals living with Chagas disease in the United States (CDC).  Most of these people were born in rural areas of Latin America and have moved to the United States, but there are also an estimated 22-108 babies born every year who could benefit from identification and treatment (Emerg Infect Dis)(CDC). Also, there is a likely very small but real risk of getting the infection from an infected insect in the United States.

All members of the LASOCHA staff and board are volunteers. With your support, we'll be able to:

-Expand education efforts

-Expand testing events to reach more Chagas patients

-Provide more education to the providers who can make a difference in this fight

For more information about Chagas disease and our work to combat it, please see our website at lasocha.org.