LYME DISEASE IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, AND ONE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING TICK-BORNE DISEASES IN THE WORLD, AFFECTING EVERY COUNTRY EXCEPT ANTARCTICA & ALL 50 STATES IN THE US. TRAGICALLY, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERFUNDED DISEASES IN THE WORLD.
Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, a complex microbe known as a spirochete. Lyme is contracted through the bite of an infected blacklegged (deer) tick, and is a multi-staged, multisystemic illness.
Presentations vary by stage: early localized (acute), early disseminated, and late disseminated (chronic, persistent) illness.
Practicing good tick prevention habits is the best way to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. It’s important to Be Tick AWARE:
LESS THAN 50% OF INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY LYME MAY SEE A BULL’S-EYE RASH AND EVEN FEWER RECALL A TICK BITE.
Lyme disease can mimic hundreds of other conditions since its symptoms mirror many medical problems. Here are a few symptoms you need to look for:
Everyone’s journey with Lyme disease is different and that is why it is so important to see an ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disesases Society) educated Lyme expert. These are medical professionals who have been specifically trained by ILADS about Lyme & associated diseases.
While we are currently unable to provide direct treatment for individual treatment, we have partnered with two incredible granting organizations:
We hope to be able to collaborate with additional international grant-makers in the near future.
ILADS provider search find a support group in your areaFor one-on-one support or to learn more about Global Lyme Alliance’s “Peer to Peer” Mentor Program:
Global Lyme AllianceLyme disease is a global pandemic, but not a global priority. There is neither a reliable diagnostic test for Lyme disease, nor an effective treatment for long-term Lyme. The Avril Lavigne Foundation has partnered with Global Lyme Alliance, and Avril has joined their Board of Directors, as they are dedicated to accelerating the development of more effective methods of diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
FOR THE BETTER PART OF TWO YEARS, I WAS REALLY SICK AND FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE. LYME DISEASE IS A DAILY STRUGGLE AND THE BAD DAYS STILL COME AND GO. I NEVER WANT OTHERS TO SUFFER THE WAY I DID AND BECAUSE OF THAT, IT IS NOW MY MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS THAT WILL HELP ERADICATE THIS LIFE ALTERING DISEASE.
— AVRIL LAVIGNE
It often may take multiple calls, e-mails, doctors visits and different treatments to find what you feel may be the best path for you. We hope that you will not get discouraged along the way, even though it may be quite frustrating and exhausting. There is always HOPE and you are never alone.
Find out more about symptoms, grants, support groups and research with:
Global Lyme Alliance