Spark the Movement: Lyme Disease Awareness Month Celebration Guide
By Kaleigh Schmidt
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Approximately 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, there's a good chance you know someone who has it.
If you're looking for ways to support someone with Lyme this month, check out our Lyme Disease Awareness Guide for tips on how to support your favorite Lyme warrior.
Learn a Lyme Fact
Jumpstart your awareness by learning intriguing statistics, then educating others about what you’ve learned. For example, did you know that data from the Medical Entomology Laboratory at the Prairie Research Institute reveals that nearly 40% of Illinois deer ticks tested were positive carriers of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease? Lyme disease is prevalent across the state of Illinois.
While it is often assumed that one of the first signs of Lyme disease is the onset of a bullseye rash, in actuality, the range of people who develop one is considerably broad. Research suggests anywhere between 30 to 80% of people infected with Lyme present with this symptom. Some individuals may not develop this symptom at all, which may lead to overlooked, undiagnosed, or late-stage symptoms of the disease. Additionally, research states that more than 50% of Lyme disease cases are missed through standard two-tiered tests.
Facts like these may be eye-opening for someone who isn’t as familiar with Lyme. (For additional facts on Lyme and tick-borne disease in Illinois, visit: Illinois Lyme Association.)
Wear Lime Green
The bright color of lime green represents the Lyme community and Lyme disease awareness. Wearing a lime green article of clothing may inspire new or interesting dialogue.
Looking for the perfect shirt that highlights Lyme disease? The Illinois Lyme Association store has many items and gift options to shop for and explore, and your support helps a state nonprofit carry out its mission.
Reinvent Your Socials
Updating your social media platforms to feature your favorite Lyme warrior is a great way to show your support for Lyme disease and the Lyme community. This can be done by uploading a new profile picture, making a new post, or adding a new story. Consider using the hashtags #ila, #illymeassocation, and #illnoislymeassosciation in your posts to support Lyme Disease Awareness Month and contribute to the discussion.
Send a Note of Optimism
Can you think of a Lyme warrior who is courageously working towards healing? At times, fighting an illness like Lyme disease may feel painful or isolating for the individual experiencing it. One thoughtful gesture to lift someone up during Lyme Disease Awareness Month is to send a simple reminder of strength or motivation. This can be done in the form of a text message, phone call, or card in the mail.
Uncertain about choosing the best words to include in your message? Try one of these supportive lines as inspiration:
You inspire me.
Your fight is courageous.
I admire your strength.
Host a Lyme Mocktail Party
What better way to kick-off Lyme Disease Awareness Month than with a Lyme-inspired mocktail?! This lovely cucumber-lime recipe is guaranteed to sweeten any event.
Ingredients:
1/4 cucumber (peeled, diced)
Juice of 2 limes freshly squeezed
2 tbsp honey, agave, or maple syrup
1 carbonated drink of choice
Pinch of salt
Mint (optional)
Directions:
Fill tall glass with ice cubes and set aside.
Using a cocktail shaker, add the cucumber and muddle (smush) it. Add the lime juice, honey, and a pinch of salt. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
Strain mixture into the prepared glass. Top with a carbonated drink.
Garnish with mint leaves, lime, or cucumber slices.
Reserve Time to Listen
One of the best ways to support someone living with Lyme disease is to validate their emotions and experiences. Lyme disease is an individualized journey. It may impact each person differently, therefore, it’s important to create a nurturing space for them to express any waves of sad or unsettling feelings. Socializing and managing energy levels may be difficult while enduring Lyme disease. You can help by offering to schedule a phone call or time to sit with them.
Looking for reassuring questions to ask? One of these supportive questions may enhance the conversation:
How is your experience affecting you emotionally?
What things are helping you at this time?
In what ways do you feel most supported?
Engage Locally with Illinois Lyme Association
Did you know that Illinois Lyme Association (ILA) is the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the state of Illinois? Year-round, ILA works diligently to advocate, educate, and optimize resources for Lyme disease patients and families.
Take part in Lyme Disease Awareness Month with ILA:
Follow and invite others to Illinois Lyme Association
Subscribe to the quarterly newsletter
Join the ILA License Plate Program
Volunteer to be part of the change
Donate to Illinois Lyme Association
Every day, hundreds of thousands of people around the United States are fighting the resilient battle against Lyme disease. The month of May is a great time to reflect, recognize, and take action towards Lyme disease awareness and give Lyme the attention it deserves. You can support someone living with Lyme disease during Lyme Disease Awareness Month by utilizing this helpful guide, using your voice, and getting involved.
Sources:
Lyme Disease Surveillance and Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/index.html#:~:text=Key%20points,not%20actually%20have%20Lyme%20disease
IHNS Tick Disease Factsheet. Illinois Lyme Association website. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6a55cc288a4713e5464577/t/67eb1fddb8329a10b469b343/1743462369738/INHS_tick-disease-factsheet-FINAL+%281%29.pdf
Lyme Disease Symptoms. Lymedisease.org website.
https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/lyme-disease/symptoms/
Two-Tiered Lab Tests Miss More Than 50% Of The Cases Of Lyme Disease. Lymedisease.org website.
https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/resources/two-tiered-lab-tests-miss-50-percent-of-lyme/
