Ticks and Lyme disease are far too common and not at all discriminating. According to the most recent CDC statistics, there are nearly 500,000 new US cases of Lyme disease each year and more than half a million Americans suffering from long-term or late-stage Lyme disease. Some are fortunate to be diagnosed and treated early, but for some the path to a cure is long and challenging. Here we share some powerful stories of resilience and hope in the face of this debilitating and perplexing disease.

Are you interested in sharing your story? We’d like to hear from you.

Kelly Osbourne

Christina C.

Alameda County, CA
"Many people know very little about Lyme. I'm going to change that."
Read Christina's Story
Thalia

Emily F.

Medfield, MA
"It felt like each day I was adding new symptoms that had nothing to do with the last..."
Read Emily's Story
Olivia G.

Dana Parish

Singer Songwriter
"I had the CDC-recommended 21 days of Doxy... I fully believed I'd be okay."
Read Dana's Story
Marisol Thomas

Tory C.

Sonoma County, CA
"I will fight this disease and I will get my life back! "
Read Tory's Story

Elet Hall

Freerunner, Parkour Athlete, and American Ninja Warrior
"I just want to get my body to a point where I can do what I want to do."
Read Elet's Story

Kevin S.

Wake County, NC
"You are never beyond hope."
Read Kevin's Story
Netflix star Talia Jackson
Brenton Tyler Hoffman
Singer Songwriter Jesse Colin Young
Stephanie E.
Lisa V.

Alan B.

Middlesex County, MA
"At some point, we will all be liberated from this nightmare."
Read Alan's Story
Grace W.

Rachel H.

Santa Clara County, CA
"I no longer see my health journey as a curse."
Read Rachel's Story
NHL player Lukas Bengtsson
George W. Bush
Bella Hadid

Allie C.

Westchester County, NY
"It's time to make some noise."
Read Allie's Story
Soccer star Karel Poborsky

Laura H.

Shasta County, CA
"I am doing ok."
Read Laura's Story
Erin Walker
Gregg K.
US Track Star Perry Fields
Pop artist Sonali Argade
Topeka Mayor Michelle de la Isla
Pres. Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Joan A.

Chevy Chase, MD
"I would say if you have a bite—get to the right doctor for testing. Don’t rely on the CDC tests."
Read Joan's Story
Singer-songwriter Ben Kyle
Triathlete Mary Beth Ellis
Adrienne N.

Sarah D.

County Carlow, Ireland
"There is light at the end of the tunnel."
Read Sarah's Story
HGTV designer Genevieve Gorder

Lia G.

Alameda County, CA
"Lyme disease: it’s real, folks."
Read Lia's Story
Kathleen O.
Hannah O.

Laure W.

San Mateo County, CA
"I felt like I lost my life for almost two years..."
Read Laure's Story

Grace S.

Hilliard, OH
"I do not remember being bitten by a tick, so I felt it was impossible that I could have Lyme."
Read Grace's Story

Kris Newby

Santa Clara County, CA
"It is unhealthy for a society to use language that blames the victim."
Read Kris's Story
Fontayne F.
Danie V.
Walter H.
Scott A.
Adventurer Ray Mears
Richard Gere
Senator Kay Hagan

Andrew G.

Solano County, CA
"I believe my son, Andrew, was killed by Lyme."
Read Andrew's Story
“Real Housewife” Amber Marchese

Camille A.

Spouse, mother, and caregiver
"The amount of suffering [from Lyme disease] is inexcusable!"
Read Camille's Story

Mary Sue A.

Monterey County, CA
"I will do everything in my power to help prevent this disease!"
Read Mary's Story
Rocker Dave Mustaine
Kirstie Alley
Jazz-Hip Hop Artist Pete Philly

Jonathan L.

Bernalillo County, NM
"Chronic Lyme is like stepping through the looking glass straight into Hell."
Read Jonathan's Story
Melissa M.

Michelle M.

Suffolk County, NY
"If I was ever going to get better, I had to be my own advocate."
Read Michelle's Story

Bella M.

Lee County, FL
"This is not easy. Life gets harder every day."
Read Bella's Story
Elena Delle Donne
Comedian Akilah Hughes
Pastor Ramon H.
Whitfield W.

Briana B.

Butte County, CA
"I am ready to take back my life."
Read Briana's Story
Kelsey W.
Rebecca Wells

Susie M.

San Diego County, CA
"None of the physicians I saw put it together either."
Read Susie's Story
Motorcross Racer Jimmy Decotis

Trae V.

San Mateo County, CA
"Everyone knows somebody with Lyme — they just don’t know it yet."
Read Trae's Story
Olympian Christie Rampone
Thaiadora D.

Mela L.

Siskiyou County, CA
"Hoping to help make the world a bit healthier!"
Read Mela's Story
Sharon W.
Musician Elijah Blue Allman
Ally Hilfiger

Milena G.

Los Angeles, CA
" I was living in a body no longer my own, one ravaged by Lyme."
Read Milena's Story

Alix M.

Santa Clara County, CA
"Chronic Lyme is a living death"
Read Alix's Story
Deanna T.

Mark G.

San Diego, CA
"Lyme Disease has been the greatest teacher that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone."
Read Mark's Story
Author Eric Karlan
Pro Golfer Gary Player

Blair B.

Oconto County, Wisconsin
"Lyme disease changed my relationship with the outdoors"
Read Blair's Story
Lindsay B.
Dancer Brendan Saye
Dr. Kristin Honey
Actor/Producer Ariel Stein

Tommy F.

Middlesex County, MA
"I hope by sharing my story I can provide some insight into the daily life of this disease."
Read Tommy's Story

Brooke G.

New York, NY
"We get stronger by working together for greater health and wellness."
Read Brooke's Story
Reporter Nicola Sommavilla
Nicole K.

KÊTA

Singer/Songwriter
"People need to know. Lyme is the fastest-growing infectious disease in the world!"
Read KÊTA's Story
Patrick P.
Tom Seaver
Colin M.

Heather F.

Montgomery Country, MD
"Do not doubt yourself, but mostly, do not give up hope."
Read Heather's Story

Sarah H.

Williamson County, TN
"I had no idea the tests were so inaccurate."
Read Sarah's Story

Olivia A.

New York, NY
"I truly believe we can live in a world free of tick-borne illnesses"
Read Olivia's Story
Crystal Harris

Alex H.

Fresno County, CA
"One day, I hope that no family goes through what ours did. For now, the first step is prevention"
Read Alex's Story
Evan G.
Parker Posey

Tracy M.

Los Angeles County, CA
"I want to share my story, spread awareness about Lyme and give hope to those in pain."
Read Tracy's Story
Davis B.
Artist Peter Williams
PGA Golfer Tim Simpson
Actress Martine McCutcheon

Matt Dawson

International Rugby star
"Ticks carry some really potent bacteria. Raising awareness is imperative.""
Read Matt's Story
Amanda K.

Michelle T.

Marin County, CA
"Are we gonna beat this? Absolutely. Can we find a cure? Absolutely."
Read Michelle's Story
Olympian Kristen Sweetland
Ryan H.
Tennis pro Samantha Stosur
PGA Champion Jimmy Walker
Writer David Michael Conner
Eddie S.

Melinda B.

Davie, FL
"Lyme disease didn’t knock. It invaded."
Read Melinda's Story

Emily L.

Norfolk County, MA
"Just because I am sick, doesn't mean I have to live a sick life."
Read Emily's Story
Lisa N.
Breanna R.
Samantha P.

Brandon W.

Albemarle County, VA
"I hope one day we can find a cure to this terrible disease."
Read Brandon's Story
Susan B.

Meghan W.

Cortlandt Manor, NY
"CBD has helped me live in less pain from Lyme disease"
Read Meghan's Story

Dominic S.

Groningen, Netherlands
"Lyme Disease is real, it isn’t a joke."
Read Dominic's Story
Wendy A.
Gabe Magnotta

Sharane D.

Maricopa County, AZ
"I am going to do what I can to make sure no one else has to go through my nightmare."
Read Sharane's Story

Jessica S.

Dalton, GA
"I’ve learned that healing is not just physical. It’s emotional, mental, and spiritual."
Read Jessica's Story
News Anchor Gretchen Carlson

Shymala H.

Contra Costa County, CA
"You are your own medical advocate ... Do NOT give up."
Read Shymala's Story
Painter John Bramblitt
Alice Walker
Outdoor explorer Lee Farmer
Ella B.
Nelle F.
Enid H.
Yolanda Foster
Pete Seeger

Esmé Weijun Wang

San Francisco County, CA
"I'm chronically ill and afraid of being lazy."
Read Esmé's Story

Dave Skidmore

Lehigh County, PA
"These days most people know someone with Lyme disease. That's a lot of someones."
Read Dave's Story

Phil G.

Leelanau County, MI
"I’m finally starting to feel like myself again."
Read Phil's Story
Amy W.
Actress Karen Allen
Cassidy C.
Ink Master Geary Morrill
Jennifer Capriati
Nikki K.
Sierra R.

Maisie M.

Washington, DC
"I am invisibly sick ... but I am at war with Lyme."
Read Maisie's Story

Louis S.

San Mateo County, CA
"My mom says she remembers the day my personality came back."
Read Louis's Story
Jane Alexander

David D.

Boundary County, ID
"I have been given a second chance at life."
Read David's Story

Ben A.

Long Island, NY
"My healing journey started with antibiotics, but they only provided temporary relief."
Read Ben's Story
Sarah N.
Singer Marina Morgan

Shelby A.

Butte County, CA
"My hope is that one day Lyme disease will be treated quickly and correctly…"
Read Shelby's Story
Tom J.

Izabela B.

Bergen County, NJ
"Listen to your body! When you think something is wrong, it probably is."
Read Izabela's Story
Author Porochista Khakpour
James D.
Singer-songwriter Jared Dylan

Karine B.

San Francisco County
"I did not accept that Lyme would be stronger than me."
Read Karine's Story

Marjorie H.

Morris County, NJ
"Seeking answers and advocating for ourselves and our families is important!"
Read Marjorie's Story
Kyle Morton

Christina K.

San Diego / Joshua Tree, CA
"I have made a conscious decision to choose an attitude and intention of thriving."
Read Christina's Story
Congressman Berkley Bedell
Ashley Olsen

Ari S.

San Mateo County, CA
"Don’t try to do it on your own. It’s too hard. Get help."
Read Ari's Story
MiLB Player Jordan Yallen
Tori Foles
Justin Bieber
Marla Maples
Boxer Mikkel Kessler

Daryl Hall

Musician, Hall & Oates
"People don't understand. Lyme disease is serious stuff."
Read Daryl's Story

Triathlete Angela Naeth

British Columbia, Canada
"Treating lyme is like being on a roller coaster. "
Read Triathlete's Story
USA Triathlete Peter Weaver
Tasha R.
RHONY star Ramona Singer
Matthew G.

Bart Yasso

Competitive Racer & Running Legend
" I can do this. I can beat this thing."
Read Bart's Story

Justin M.

Foxboro, MA
"Lyme is truly a debilitating disease, especially for those that can't afford it."
Read Justin's Story
Kathleen Hanna
Singer-songwriter Jesse Ruben
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
UFC fighter Jim Miller
BBC Reporter Allan Little
Gerrit van Zijll
Tara C.
Shania Twain
Runner Robby A.

Kelly W.

Plumas County, CA
"The journey through Lyme disease is a long and painful experience."
Read Kelly's Story
Competitive miler Drew Hunter
Jocelyne B.
Entrepreneur John Caudwell
Ruben Lee Sims

Katherine H.

Sonoma County, CA
"The miracle happened when we were at the darkest point in Lyme disease."
Read Katherine's Story
Author Andrew McGuinness
Chef Kirk Haworth
Nancy D.
Voice Contestant Ryan Quinn
Cassie M.

Drew M.

Portola Valley, CA
"I think Lyme most of all is a mental battle."
Read Drew's Story

Robert Buelteman

San Mateo County, CA
"I knew something was very wrong."
Read Robert's Story
Debbie Gibson

Angeli Vanlaanen

Professional Freeskiier
"My story of going years undiagnosed is all too common."
Read Angeli's Story

Seth D.

Columbia County, NY
"Has anyone else had a similar experience?"
Read Seth's Story
Olivia S.
Reality TV star Irene McGee
Chloe L.
Claire E.

Natalie N.

Lee County, FL
"I'm 22 and living like a hermit... Lyme has taken so much from me."
Read Natalie's Story
Suzanne P.

Kayla D.

Harris County, TX
"It never occurred to me that something else could be going on."
Read Kayla's Story
Melissa D.
Christy Turlington
Emily S.
Author Jordan Fisher Smith
Sarah M.
Amy Tan
Nichola M.

Neil Spector, MD

Oncologist, Author, and Lyme patient
"I was in the active peak of my life, but it was like I was an old man."
Read Neil's Story
Karl B.

Mary Kate Robertson

'Duck Dynasty' star
"I hope the seriousness of this disease will start to get out there."
Read Mary's Story
Nenah Cherry
Peter Sarsgaard
Erika S.
Brooke Landau

Marc L.

Falmouth, ME
"...do not give up and keep searching until you find a knowledgeable provider..."
Read Marc's Story
NHL player-coach Kirk Muller

Shona C.

San Francisco County, CA
"We can help each other take this day by day."
Read Shona's Story
Erin R.
Mary-Margaret R.
Stephanie S.
Author Holly Chamelli
Calla J.
HS Tennis Star Camryn C.

Kari M.

Sonoma County, CA
"Lyme is life-changing, pain, pain, and more pain."
Read Kari's Story
Tessa Wallace
Avril Lavigne
Anwar Hadid
Ben Stiller
Para-Olympian Mel Clarke
Legendary crooner José José
Kris Kristofferson
Musician Bill Chinnock