Why a Challenge?
Because those suffering from Lyme disease and co-infections are challenged in all aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and research funding.
Our Vision
The international Lyme Community has united for the purpose of planning and executing the Lyme disease Challenge – a grassroots effort to spread Lyme disease awareness. Although there are a staggering number of individuals impacted by Lyme disease, an estimated 476,000 new cases per year in the United States alone, the Lyme community is fragmented with hundreds of groups around the world. We are doing our part to bring these groups and individuals together.
By working together our voice is both louder and stronger.
While our primary goal in this campaign is to spread awareness, through our combined efforts, we recognize that we also have a unique opportunity to raise funding as well. All the proceeds of the campaign will go to LivLyme Foundation a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on prevention and early diagnosis of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
About The Team
What do six different people – an attorney in Florida, an entrepreneur in Virginia, a professional blogger in Illinois, a graphic designer from Texas, an artist in California and a teenage student from Colorado – have in common? They are all battling Lyme disease and some are also mothers of children with Lyme as well.
But they are more than just Lyme—they are advocates, inspired to come together with a vision for a better, healthier world. These people are striving for a world, where testing is accurate, treatment is accessible, research is funded, and doctors recognize Lyme disease as the epidemic health crisis it truly is. Like so many other members of the Lyme community, you will see a common thread in their backgrounds – delays in diagnosis leading to needless suffering as well as a deep desire to help others.
They are determined to make a difference for their families and the millions of other people who live with Lyme. Together they have worked to unite thousands of people in an international campaign, the Lyme disease Challenge, to promote Lyme awareness and to raise funds.
Who We Are
Melissa Bell is a wife and mother of three to a family profoundly impacted by Lyme. As an attorney at law with a background in finance, Melissa founded Florida Lyme disease Association (FLDA) in 2013, later merging with Northeast Florida Lyme Association. What fuels Melissa’s passion for advocacy are the children who silently suffer from the debilitating symptoms of Lyme. Read full bio
Jenny Menzel is a certified health coach, independent graphic artist, and writer. She assists those with Lyme on their healing journey by volunteering as an admin of the Facebook group, Healing Lyme With Bee Venom. She has been donating her design and branding talent to the Lyme Disease Challenge since its launch in 2015. Read full bio
Jenny Buttaccio is a writer, editor, and an occupational therapist. In addition to her blog, her written work has appeared in leading publications like HuffPost, Real Simple, Men’s Health, Prevention Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and more. She joined the LDC team to raise much needed awareness and research funds for an illness that afflicts so many. Read full bio
Olivia Goodreau is our fierce Junior Ambassador. She began her Lyme journey after being bitten by a tick in Missouri at the age of six, and formed the LivLyme Foundation by age 12 — successfully challenging elected state officials, doctors, and celebrities to Take a Bite Out of Lyme. Read full bio
The Rest of The Team
Because we are a group of volunteers, we called in favors from countless friends from the Lyme community — all who came through to support the cause with their passion, talent, and enthusiasm.
Ozlem Jones of Hannibal Global — Ongoing site, leadership support
Nicki Nysven of Nicki Lenore — Community outreach, leadership support
Andrea Folsom of Crafting Connections — Site customization, content and design
Jennifer Allton — Planning group admin
Jennifer Cooper of Classic Play — Logo and illustrations
Julie Anderson — Leadership support
Kat Westcott of Kat Westcott Design — Graphics and image editing
Kim Rowe of Healing Collectives — Leadership support
Lisa Wolk — Leadership support
Rebecca Guglielmo — Administrative support
Sarah Buck of Sarah Buck Photography — Photography, editorial assistance
Additional Photography by:
Offir Kilion of New York Photocraft
Erica Blaine of Erica Blaine Photography
Dana Raven of Minibird Photography