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.

Competitive miler Drew Hunter
Matthew G.

Dave Skidmore

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

Michelle T.

Marin County, CA
"Are we gonna beat this? Absolutely. Can we find a cure? Absolutely."
Read Michelle's Story
Jennifer Capriati
Deanna T.

Seth D.

Columbia County, NY
"Has anyone else had a similar experience?"
Read Seth's Story
Tom Seaver
US Track Star Perry Fields
Author Andrew McGuinness
Susan B.
Nenah Cherry

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
Boxer Mikkel Kessler
Writer David Michael Conner
Suzanne P.

Daryl Hall

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

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

Mary Kate Robertson

'Duck Dynasty' star
"I hope the seriousness of this disease will start to get out there."
Read Mary's Story
Singer-songwriter Ben Kyle
Fontayne F.
Jazz-Hip Hop Artist Pete Philly
Outdoor explorer Lee Farmer
Kyle Morton
Actress Karen Allen

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
Pop artist Sonali Argade
Para-Olympian Mel Clarke
Erika S.
News Anchor Gretchen Carlson
Evan G.

Brooke G.

New York, NY
"We get stronger by working together for greater health and wellness."
Read Brooke's Story
Patrick P.
Motorcross Racer Jimmy Decotis

Esmé Weijun Wang

San Francisco County, CA
"I'm chronically ill and afraid of being lazy."
Read Esmé's Story
HGTV designer Genevieve Gorder
Sarah N.
Amy Tan
RHONY star Ramona Singer
Olympian Kristen Sweetland

Kari M.

Sonoma County, CA
"Lyme is life-changing, pain, pain, and more pain."
Read Kari's Story
Samantha P.
Erin Walker
Pro Golfer Gary Player
Breanna R.
Rebecca Wells

Camille A.

Spouse, mother, and caregiver
"The amount of suffering [from Lyme disease] is inexcusable!"
Read Camille's Story
MiLB Player Jordan Yallen
Kris Kristofferson
Pres. Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Sharon W.

Kayla D.

Harris County, TX
"It never occurred to me that something else could be going on."
Read Kayla's Story

Mela L.

Siskiyou County, CA
"Hoping to help make the world a bit healthier!"
Read Mela's Story
Crystal Harris
Bella Hadid
Walter H.

Ben A.

Long Island, NY
"My healing journey started with antibiotics, but they only provided temporary relief."
Read Ben's Story
Sierra R.
Kelly Osbourne

Drew M.

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

Angeli Vanlaanen

Professional Freeskiier
"My story of going years undiagnosed is all too common."
Read Angeli's Story
Chef Kirk Haworth
Calla J.
Tara C.
Legendary crooner José José
Enid H.
Singer Marina Morgan
Elena Delle Donne
NHL player-coach Kirk Muller
Karl B.
Gabe Magnotta

Susie M.

San Diego County, CA
"None of the physicians I saw put it together either."
Read Susie's Story
HS Tennis Star Camryn C.
Justin Bieber
Stephanie E.

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

Briana B.

Butte County, CA
"I am ready to take back my life."
Read Briana's Story
Ink Master Geary Morrill
Dr. Kristin Honey
Reality TV star Irene McGee
Lindsay B.

Laura H.

Shasta County, CA
"I am doing ok."
Read Laura's Story
Sarah M.
Whitfield W.

Kevin S.

Wake County, NC
"You are never beyond hope."
Read Kevin's Story
Melissa M.

Sarah H.

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

KÊTA

Singer/Songwriter
"People need to know. Lyme is the fastest-growing infectious disease in the world!"
Read KÊTA's Story
UFC fighter Jim Miller

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
Senator Kay Hagan

Phil G.

Leelanau County, MI
"I’m finally starting to feel like myself again."
Read Phil's Story
Nichola M.
Christy Turlington
Claire E.

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

Katherine H.

Sonoma County, CA
"The miracle happened when we were at the darkest point in Lyme disease."
Read Katherine's Story

Robert Buelteman

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

Heather F.

Montgomery Country, MD
"Do not doubt yourself, but mostly, do not give up hope."
Read Heather's Story
Tessa Wallace
Musician Bill Chinnock
Tasha R.
Peter Sarsgaard
Shania Twain
Davis B.
Chloe L.
Artist Peter Williams

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
Author Holly Chamelli
Melissa D.
Marla Maples

Shona C.

San Francisco County, CA
"We can help each other take this day by day."
Read Shona's Story
Cassie M.

Meghan W.

Cortlandt Manor, NY
"CBD has helped me live in less pain from Lyme disease"
Read Meghan's Story
Nikki K.
Author Jordan Fisher Smith
Kathleen O.
PGA Champion Jimmy Walker
Ally Hilfiger

Jonathan L.

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

Milena G.

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

Michelle M.

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

Lia G.

Alameda County, CA
"Lyme disease: it’s real, folks."
Read Lia's Story
Brenton Tyler Hoffman
James D.

Justin M.

Foxboro, MA
"Lyme is truly a debilitating disease, especially for those that can't afford it."
Read Justin's Story
Wendy A.

Mark G.

San Diego, CA
"Lyme Disease has been the greatest teacher that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone."
Read Mark's Story
Gerrit van Zijll
Jocelyne B.
Erin R.
Tom J.

Alan B.

Middlesex County, MA
"At some point, we will all be liberated from this nightmare."
Read Alan's Story
Tennis pro Samantha Stosur
Thaiadora D.

Blair B.

Oconto County, Wisconsin
"Lyme disease changed my relationship with the outdoors"
Read Blair's Story
Amy W.
Rocker Dave Mustaine

Dana Parish

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

Sarah D.

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

Matt Dawson

International Rugby star
"Ticks carry some really potent bacteria. Raising awareness is imperative.""
Read Matt's Story
Dancer Brendan Saye
Actress Martine McCutcheon
USA Triathlete Peter Weaver

Rachel H.

Santa Clara County, CA
"I no longer see my health journey as a curse."
Read Rachel's Story
Comedian Akilah Hughes
Mary-Margaret R.
PGA Golfer Tim Simpson

Karine B.

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

Natalie N.

Lee County, FL
"I'm 22 and living like a hermit... Lyme has taken so much from me."
Read Natalie's Story
Hannah O.
BBC Reporter Allan Little
Painter John Bramblitt
Scott A.
Jane Alexander

Andrew G.

Solano County, CA
"I believe my son, Andrew, was killed by Lyme."
Read Andrew's Story
Thalia
Alice Walker
Author Eric Karlan
Parker Posey

Trae V.

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

Mary Sue A.

Monterey County, CA
"I will do everything in my power to help prevent this disease!"
Read Mary's Story
Gregg K.
Ryan H.
Olympian Christie Rampone

Marjorie H.

Morris County, NJ
"Seeking answers and advocating for ourselves and our families is important!"
Read Marjorie's Story
Anwar Hadid
Ben Stiller

Bella M.

Lee County, FL
"This is not easy. Life gets harder every day."
Read Bella's Story

Kelly W.

Plumas County, CA
"The journey through Lyme disease is a long and painful experience."
Read Kelly's Story
Lisa N.

Laure W.

San Mateo County, CA
"I felt like I lost my life for almost two years..."
Read Laure's Story
NHL player Lukas Bengtsson
Pete Seeger
Reporter Nicola Sommavilla
Tori Foles

Tory C.

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

Izabela B.

Bergen County, NJ
"Listen to your body! When you think something is wrong, it probably is."
Read Izabela's Story

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
Ella B.
Nicole K.
Stephanie S.

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

Allie C.

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

Dominic S.

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

Shelby A.

Butte County, CA
"My hope is that one day Lyme disease will be treated quickly and correctly…"
Read Shelby's Story
Debbie Gibson
Eddie S.
Nelle F.

Kris Newby

Santa Clara County, CA
"It is unhealthy for a society to use language that blames the victim."
Read Kris's Story
Ruben Lee Sims
Brooke Landau
Author Porochista Khakpour

Maisie M.

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

David D.

Boundary County, ID
"I have been given a second chance at life."
Read David's Story
Marisol Thomas
Avril Lavigne
“Real Housewife” Amber Marchese
Adventurer Ray Mears

Brandon W.

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

Shymala H.

Contra Costa County, CA
"You are your own medical advocate ... Do NOT give up."
Read Shymala's Story
Cassidy C.
Lisa V.
Voice Contestant Ryan Quinn
Colin M.
Olivia S.
Actor/Producer Ariel Stein

Louis S.

San Mateo County, CA
"My mom says she remembers the day my personality came back."
Read Louis's Story
Topeka Mayor Michelle de la Isla
Richard Gere
Jamie-Lynn Sigler

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

Christina C.

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

Bart Yasso

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

Alix M.

Santa Clara County, CA
"Chronic Lyme is a living death"
Read Alix's Story
Amanda K.
Musician Elijah Blue Allman
Singer Songwriter Jesse Colin Young
George W. Bush
Danie V.
Triathlete Mary Beth Ellis
Singer-songwriter Jared Dylan
Soccer star Karel Poborsky

Emily L.

Norfolk County, MA
"Just because I am sick, doesn't mean I have to live a sick life."
Read Emily's Story
Olivia G.
Adrienne N.
Runner Robby A.
Netflix star Talia Jackson
Emily S.

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
Singer-songwriter Jesse Ruben

Triathlete Angela Naeth

British Columbia, Canada
"Treating lyme is like being on a roller coaster. "
Read Triathlete's Story