DIXFIELD – A documentary about the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, and other data about the tick-borne illness, will be shown in the community room of Dirigo High School at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.

The film “Under Our Skin,” which debuted at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival in May and was shown at the Maine International Film Festival in Waterville this past summer, is sponsored by Maine Lyme Disease Support Groups, headed locally by Susan Holmes.

Holmes, whose husband, Jon, was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, testified before the state’s Health and Human Services Committee to try to get more education to people about the prevalence of the disease and the barriers to treatment and insurance coverage, and to make physicians more aware of the disease.

Holmes is also affiliated with the Maryland-based International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, which aims to advance the standards of care for Lyme and associated diseases.

According to statistics provided to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maine had 529 new cases in 2007, up from past years. Nationwide, more than 27,000 new cases were reported in 2007.

Holmes said anyone who has the disease, or believes he or she might have it, or has been affected by it is encouraged to view the film, which presents data by Lyme disease experts and some people who have been seriously affected by the disease.

Holmes leads a monthly support group for Lyme disease victims and rented the film to make the public aware of the difficulties Lyme victims may have within the traditional medical establishment.

“We haven’t made many advances,” she said. “This film is shown on the grassroots level.”